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 Brennans 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
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