Eileen Brennan, beloved comedic actress, has died at the age of 80 of bladder cancer in her Burbank home.
The actress, best known for her role opposite Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin , for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, was revered for her quick wit and charm. Brennan’s career took off after she appeared in The Last Picture Show , Peter Bogdanovich’s 1971 Best Picture consideration. She worked alongside Hollywood greats Robert Redford and Paul Newman in The Sting , 1973 winner of Best Picture.
Following such roles in industry successes, Brennan took to the small screen. The actress is known to younger generations as Mrs. Bink in 7th Heaven , or as sarcastic acting coach Zandra on NBC’s Will & Grace .
Since news broke of Brennan’s death, former co-stars have taken to Twitter to express their grief at her passing.
Here are the Top 10 Celebrity Tweets following Eileen Brennan’s passing.
10. Saturday Night Live performer Taran Killam tweeted praise of the late star:
RIP Eileen Brennan. One of the funniest performers of all time.
— taran killam (@TaranKillam) July 30, 2013
9. Lance Bass referenced the actress’ memorable performance in the cult film Clue :
Farewell Mrs. Peacock!! Eileen Brennan http://t.co/2r0KbuU0T2
— Lance Bass (@LanceBass) July 30, 2013
8. Comedian Billy Eichner exclaimed sadness:
RIP Eileen Brennan!!! #Clue #PrivateBenjamin #Clue
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) July 30, 2013
7. HBO producer Frank Rich remembered Brennan on stage:
Eileen Brennan hilarious in Pvt Benjamin, but let's not forget her priceless stage debut as Little Mary Sunshine. http://t.co/kDtcVOv2lB
— Frank Rich (@frankrichny) July 30, 2013
6. Actress and funny lady Sandra Bernhard reminisced:
One of my heroines #eileenbrennan is gone saw her in Hello Dolly 1963 Detroit Fisher Theatre she played Miss Irene M… http://t.co/wUzaGAa39o
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) July 31, 2013
5. Dexter actor Colin Hanks expressed his gratitude:
Eileen Brennan made me laugh. I never met her, but I would have told her that if I had & thanked her. #MrsPeacock http://t.co/RCNL9U75S2
— Colin Hanks (@ColinHanks) July 31, 2013
4. 7th Heave dad Stephen Collins hightlights Brennan’s life:
RIP to the great Eileen Brennan, who graced #7thHeaven as the wonderfully strange Mrs.Bink. What a talent, what a career, what a life.
— Stephen Collins (@StephenCollins) July 31, 2013
3. Neil Patrick Harris assured her memory would live on:
Rest in peace, Eileen Brennan. Your performance of Mrs. Peacock in Clue was one of the funniest I’ve ever seen. You’ll be quoted forever.
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) July 31, 2013
2. Will & Grace star Sean Hayes shared fond memories of the actress on set:
So sad to hear of Eileen Brennan's death. She was hilarious to work with on W&G. She always made me laugh during my scenes with her.
— Sean Hayes (@theseanhayes) July 30, 2013
1. And Goldie Hawn gave a heartfelt goodbye:
We have lost my old friend Eileen Brennan. No one ever made me laugh more! Now I cry. Please keep singing darling from on high. Rest
— Goldie Hawn (@goldiehawn) July 30, 2013
Image: Twitter