Eileen Brennan

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Eileen Brennan (September 3, 1932 – July 28, 2013) was an American actress who was known for her versatile performances in film, television, and theater. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Captain Doreen Lewis in the 1980 comedy film Private Benjamin. She also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Mrs. Hughes in the television series Newhart. Brennan was born in Los Angeles, California, and began her acting career in the theater. She made her Broadway debut in 1963 in the musical Little Mary Sunshine. She went on to appear in several other Broadway musicals, including Hello, Dolly! and Annie. Brennan made her film debut in the 1967 satire Divorce American Style. She followed this with supporting roles in the films The Last Picture Show (1971), The Cheap Detective (1978), and The First Wives Club (1996). She also starred in the films Clue (1985) and Sister Act (1992). In addition to her film and theater work, Brennan also had a successful television career. She appeared in numerous television shows, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, Cheers, and Will & Grace. She died on July 28, 2013, at the age of 80, from complications of multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection. Brennan was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2001. She underwent treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy. She continued to work and act throughout her treatment, and she even appeared in the 2011 film The Big Year. In 2013, Brennan's health began to decline. She died on July 28, 2013, at her home in Los Angeles. She was survived by her husband, David John Lampson, and her daughter, Emily.

Filmography

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2022
Who Done It: The Clue Documentary
Movie Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2011
Naked Run
Movie Gram Malone
2011
Miller's Tale
Movie Additional Music
2006
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!
TV show Writer
2006
The Amateurs
Movie Mrs. Cherkiss
2005
The Art of 'The Sting'
Movie Self
2005
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
Movie Carol Fields
2004
The Hollow
Movie Joan Van Etten
2003
Dumb Luck
Movie Minnie Hitchcock
2002
Comic Book Villains
Movie Mrs. Cresswell
2001
Jeepers Creepers
Movie The Cat Lady
2001
Lizzie McGuire
TV show Marge
2000
Strong Medicine
TV show Evelyn Knightly
1999
The Last Great Ride
Movie Pamela 'Mimi' Applegate
1998
Will & Grace
TV show Zandra
1998
Pants on Fire
Movie Mom