Eileen Brennan (1932 -2013)

Brassy, husky voiced actress who graced theater, film, and television died today after a long battle with bladder cancer. The embodiment of one of male dominated New Hollywood’s great character actresses, Brennan survived a long career and many personal battles which included injuries, addiction, breast cancer, and occasional professional dry spells.

A generation of audiences first took notice of Brennan on screen when she appeared in the multi-Oscar nominated feature film, The Last Picture Show, as the prioriator of the diner, Genevieve. Brennan was already 38 years old and had appeared on Broadway in both musicals and dramatic plays, including the original production of Hello Dolly. Two years after costarring in The Last Picture Show, she appeared as one of the only women in The Sting and followed it up with Bogdonivich’s At Long Last Love and Daisy Miller, the Neil Simon film Murder By Death, The Cheap Detective, Clue and Private Benjamin.

Private Benjamin marked a new stage in her career, earning her a much deserved Oscar nomination for the female focused military comedy. It also brought her to TV, reprising her role in the short lived series, which also earned her both an Emmy and Golden Globe. Her time in the sun was short lived, however, when she was hit by a car and suffered massive injuries which led to her being replaced on the series, three year hiatus from work, and started her long battle with painkiller addiction. She beat both her struggle with painkillers and alcohol to return to character roles in more films and TV. Her memorable, husky voice appeared in many animated projects and she began appearing regularly in guest starring roles. The daughter of silent film actress Jean Manahan, she was the mother of two sons, actor Patrick and singer Sam. The mentor to several younger actors as well, she’ll be remembered as an optimistic and gracious actors actress.