Brennan, Eileen (1935–)

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Brennan, Eileen (1935–)

American stage and screen actress. Born Sept 3, 1935, in Los Angeles, California; dau. of Jean Manahan (silent-screen actress); m. David Lampson (div. 1975).

On NY stage, appeared as Mrs. Molly with Carol Channing in the original Hello Dolly and created the title role in long-running off-Broadway musical Little Mary Sunshine; made film debut in Divorce American Style (1967), followed by The Last Picture Show, Scarecrow, The Sting, Daisy Miller, Murder by Death, FM, The Cheap Detective, At Long Last Love, Clue, Stella, Texasville, White Palace and Changing Habits, among others; on tv, was a regular on "Laugh-In" (1968) and "Private Benjamin" (1981); hit by a car and seriously injured (1983). Nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for the film Private Benjamin and won an Emmy for same role on tv; won Obie award for Little Mary Sunshine.

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