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Brenda McDonald
London, England, UK
Brenda McDonald (born Brenda Olive Nicholls; February 12, 1931 – November 23, 2024) was a Canadian actress. Born in London, Brenda moved to Canada at 21, settling first in Toronto…
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Brenda McDonald (born Brenda Olive Nicholls; February 12, 1931 – November 23, 2024) was a Canadian actress. Born in London, Brenda moved to Canada at 21, settling first in Toronto, then in Vancouver, where she met her first husband, Thomas Guy, and had four children with him. She graduated from UBC with a teaching degree in 1977, soon after Thomas had died of a heart attack. She taught English, French and Drama for nine years before quitting to follow her dream of acting. Her career spanned 33 years. She performed on stage, in film, and in training and educational videos, as well as doing voice-over work. She was also very active in community theatre with North Vancouver Community Players and United Players in Jericho. Her first film gig of note was as a body double for Katharine Hepburn, and over the years she shared the set with many of the greats: Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Anthony Quinn, Paul Hogan and many others. She worked on many Vancouver-shot series, including X-Files, Stargate: Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica, Supernatural, and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. She is known by many for a single line delivered while playing the nun in Elf: “But the children love the books!” Brenda had an active personal life: she remarried twice, surviving all of her husbands, had 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She maintained her independence by keeping her driving licence until she was 92, played saxophone, attended art classes, walked every day, and she was a passionate fan of Vancouver Canucks.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2024
Niko: Beyond the Northern Lights
Movie Blitzen / Donner / Nillá (voice)
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2018
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
TV show Dezmelda
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2018
Little Pink House
Movie Agnes Vecchiarelli
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2015
Garage Sale Mystery: The Wedding Dress
Movie Librarian
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2014
Seventh Son
Movie Timeless Hag (uncredited)
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2014
Clue: A Movie Mystery Adventure
Movie Old Woman
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2013
Witches of East End
TV show Elderly Elizabeth
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2012
Grave Encounters 2
Movie Delia Rogerson
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2010
R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour
TV show Killer Old Lady
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2010
Messages Deleted
Movie Screaming Woman
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2008
Sanctuary
TV show Navajo Woman
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2007
Reaper
TV show Mary Ann Fitzgerald
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2007
Blood Ties
TV show Emily
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2007
88 Minutes
Movie Mrs. Lowinsky
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2006
Pelts
Movie Mother Mayter
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2006
Scary Movie 4
Movie Old Lady Henderson
More credits
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2006
She's the Man
Movie Old Lady in Beauty Parlor
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2005
The Engagement Ring
Movie Nana
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2005
Masters of Horror
TV show Mother Mayter
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2005
The Big White
Movie Mrs Wherry
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2005
Supernatural
TV show Rose Thompson
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2005
School of Life
Movie Maggie Little
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2004
Stargate Atlantis
TV show Charin
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2003
Elf
Movie Nun
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2002
Hellraiser: Hellseeker
Movie Angular Nurse
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2002
Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice
Movie Elderly Woman
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2000
The New Adventures of Spin and Marty: Suspect Behavior
Movie Mary's Friend
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2000
Trial By Fire: A North of 60 Mystery
Movie Mary Edzo
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1998
Floating Away
Movie Mum
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1997
Mr. Magoo
Movie Opera Patron
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1997
The Wonderful World of Disney
TV show Mary's Friend
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1997
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
TV show Zerelda Hart (segment "Mysterious Strangers")
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1995
The Outer Limits
TV show Mrs. Eikenberry
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1994
Viper
TV show Mrs. Fletcher
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1993
The X-Files
TV show Auntie Janet
