'Private Benjamin' Actress Eileen Brennan Dies

Oscar-nominated actress Eileen Brennan died Sunday at the age of 80.

Brennan started her career in 1966 in the TV film The Star Wagon. She was a regular on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In during the counter-culture comedy’s 1968 season and had guest spots on many popular TV shows including All In the Family, McMillan & Wife, Barnaby Jones, Kojak, The Love Boat, Magnum P.I., Newhart and Murder She Wrote.

Personally, my favorite big screen roles for Brennan were in Neil Simon’s Murder By Death, where she played Sam Diamond’s (Peter Falk) assistant and in the playwright’s The Cheap Detective where she once more played opposite Falk.

Many will also remember the versatile actress from her Oscar-nominated turn as Captain Doreen Lewis from Goldie Hawn’s hit comedy Private Benjamin, a role Brennan reprised in the TV series of the same name.

I will fondly remember her great comedic performances. She was unique and funny lady.