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Eileen Brennan Headshot

Eileen Brennan

Birth Place: Los Angeles, CA, USA

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BIO

She made her film debut in the satire Divorce American Style (1967), followed by a supporting role in Peter Bogdanovich's The Last Picture Show (1971), which earned her a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

She gained further critical acclaim for her role as Captain Doreen Lewis in Private Benjamin, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She reprised the role in the television adaptation, winning both a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy Award.

Brennan starred opposite Peter Falk in two Neil Simon-penned murder mystery spoofs: Murder by Death (1976) and The Cheap Detective (1978). She also appeared in the ensemble cast of the mystery-comedy Clue (1985). She worked prolifically in television, receiving Emmy nominations for her guest roles on Newhart, Thirtysomething, Taxi, and Will & Grace.

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1964
Irene Molloy


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1963
Merry May Glockenspiel


[Off-Broadway]
City Center Revival, 1963
Anna Leonowens


[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1959
Mary Potts


Awards and Nominations


winner
Obie Awards - 1960 - Best Actress

Eileen Brennan, Little Mary Sunshine


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1960 - Performance

Eileen Brennan, Little Mary Sunshine

Videos

News


Lesley Ann Warren to Join CLUE Screening at the Marcus Performing Arts Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 20, 2025

In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of CLUE: The Movie, original film star Lesley Ann Warren (Miss Scarlett) will travel to the Marcus Performing Arts Center for a special screening of the fan favorite film.
Lesley Ann Warren to Host 40th Anniversary Screenings of CLUE THE MOVIE
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 15, 2025

In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of CLUE: The Movie, original star Lesley Ann Warren (Miss Scarlett) will travel across the country to select cities to host special screenings of the fan favorite film in Ultra High Definition.
Westport Country Playhouse’s Classic Film Series to Present THE STING
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 6, 2025

Westport Country Playhouse’s classic film series will present the Oscar-winning movie, “The Sting,” starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
World Premiere of UPSTATE Comes to TheatreWorks New Milford
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2025

TheatreWorks New Milford will present the world premiere of Upstate, written and directed by Emmy© Award-winner Dorothy Lyman from May 2nd to 24th. Learn more about the show here!
World Premiere UPSTATE Comes to TheatreWorks New Milford
by Emmy Rice - Apr 5, 2025

The play centers around three generations of women who meet upstate over President’s Day weekend to decide the fate of their family farm and its matriarch.
An In-Depth History of the Orpheum Theatre
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Feb 9, 2025

Some of the shows that the Orpheum has been best known for are Stomp, which ran there for an astounding 29 years, from 1994 to 2023, and the original production of Little Shop of Horrors which spent over five years at the theater from 1982 to 1987. 
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY Sets Cast And Creative at Titan Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 9, 2024

TITAN Theatre Company has revealed the cast and creative team for IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY by Joe Landry.
Review: CLUE at John W. Engeman Theater At Northport
by Nicholas Pontolillo - Sep 17, 2024

What did our critic think of CLUE at John W. Engeman Theater At Northport?
Video: Watch a Preview for CLUE, Coming to State Theatre New Jersey Next Weekend
by Blair Ingenthron - Apr 21, 2024

State Theatre New Jersey will present CLUE, the hilarious murder mystery comedy, for four performances on Saturday, April 27 at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday, April 28 at 1pm and 6:30pm. Watch a preview for the production in the video here!
State Theatre New Jersey Will Present CLUE This Month
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 2, 2024

State Theatre New Jersey will present CLUE, the hilarious murder mystery comedy, for four performances on Saturday, April 27 at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday, April 28 at 1pm and 6:30pm. Tickets range from $40-$105.
Musical Theatre Melodies Celebrates The 60th Anniversary of HELLO, DOLLY!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 16, 2024

The next Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast, hosted by Rob Morrison on 96.5 FM on Tuesday, January 16 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Jerry Herman musical Hello, Dolly!
Feature: WOMEN OF A CERTAIN STAGE at Westport Country Playhouse
by Lauren Yarger - Aug 30, 2023

One Acts, Music, Dorothy Lyman speaking about Hollywood's Glass Ceiling Celebrate the Accomplishments of Women Over 40 on Stage!
First Off-Broadway Production of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF to Open This July
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 2, 2022

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, in a new production by Ruth Stage, will play The Theater at St. Clements (423 W. 46th Street) beginning previews July 15, and opening night is set for July 24. The original scheduled run of this production, which had been announced for January, 2022, was postponed due to the ongoing health crisis.
JoBeth Williams and Harris Yulin to Star in WE HAVE TO HURRY Livestream Production
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 25, 2021

Oscar, Emmy  and  Golden Globe nominated actress JoBeth Williams and Award winning Broadway, film and television actor Harris Yulin are set to star in the next monthly digital presentation of the new play  We Have To Hurry, streaming live via Broadway on Demand for two performances only, Saturday, July 10th at 8pm and Sunday, July 11th at 3pm.
WE HAVE TO HURRY Hosts Virtual Stage Door With Performance
by Stephi Wild - Apr 26, 2021

We Have to Hurry , by a new work by acclaimed playwright, actor, and director Dorothy Lyman starring Kathleen Chalfant and Elliott Gould will host a Virtual Stage Door.
CAPA To Offer Abbreviated, Socially Distanced 2020 CAPA SUMMER MOVIE SERIES At The Ohio Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Sep 11, 2020

The CAPA Summer Movie Series, the longest-running classic film series in America, today announced an abbreviated schedule for its 51st series of classic films and cult favorites.
VIDEO: Michael Urie, Brandon Uranowitz, Brynn O'Malley and More Featured in CLUE FROM HOME: THE DINING ROOM
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 6, 2020

The cast of the '30th Anniversary Tribute to Clue' (Player's Club) has reunited via self-tape to recreate the dining room scene from the film.
Jack Allison, Prestigious Theater Teacher And Director, Passes Away At 78
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 21, 2019

John M. 'Jack' Allison, prestigious theater teacher and director in the United States, Canada, and Europe, died peacefully at the age of 78 on June 16, 2019 in East Northport, New York. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, he graduated from New Jersey City University with a BA in American Literature and History before earning an MA in Speech and Drama from The Catholic University of America, and a PhD (ABD) in Theatre and Directing from the University of Denver.
A COUPLA WHITE CHICKS SITTING AROUND TALKING to Play at Theatre Tallahassee
by Alan Henry - Jun 7, 2019

A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking will play at Theatre Tallahassee Sept. 19-29.
getTV To Celebrate 25th Anniversary of WALKER, TEXAS RANGER on 6/4
by Tori Hartshorn - May 14, 2018

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the network premiere of “Walker, Texas Ranger,” getTV will air the wildly popular action-adventure series starring Chuck Norris, beginning June 4. Episodes will be broadcast weekdays from 2:00PM to 6:00PM ET/1-5C and Sundays from 5:00PM-10PM ET/4-7C.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Eileen Brennan been in?

Eileen Brennan has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Eileen Brennan been in?

Eileen Brennan has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Eileen Brennan been nominated for?

Eileen Brennan has been nominated for several awards throughout her career. She was nominated for Best Actress at the Obie Awards for her performance in "Little Mary Sunshine." Additionally, she received a nomination for Performance at the Theatre World Awards for the same production. These nominations highlight her talent and recognition within the theater industry.

What awards has Eileen Brennan won?

Eileen Brennan has won several awards throughout her career. She received the Best Actress award from the Obie Awards for her performance in "Little Mary Sunshine." Additionally, she was recognized with the Performance award from the Theatre World Awards for her work in the same production, "Little Mary Sunshine." These accolades highlight Brennan's talent and skill as an actress in the Broadway industry.

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Videos