Mrs. Peacock’s Speech from Clue (1985) – R.I.P. Eileen Brennan

In memory of the late Eileen Brennan, here she is as Mrs. Peacock in one of my favorite movies, Clue (1985).

Eileen Brennan, who earned an Oscar nomination for her hilarious turn as the exasperated drill captain in 1980’s “Private Benjamin,” has died, CNN has confirmed. She was 80.

Brennan died Sunday (July 28, 2013) at her Burbank, California, home after a battle with bladder cancer, her management company said.

“Our family is so grateful for the outpouring of love and respect for Eileen,” her family said in a statement. “She was funny and caring and truly one of a kind. Her strength and love will never be forgotten. She will be greatly missed by all of us.”

Brennan was known for character roles as sassy, brassy women, the kind with a sandpaper surface but a light, pure heart.

She played a waitress in “The Last Picture Show” (1971), the companion of Paul Newman’s conman in “The Sting” (1973), a wisecracking maid in “At Long Last Love” (1975) and Mrs. Peacock in “Clue” (1985). She also did a great deal of television, including a reprise of her “Private Benjamin” role in the TV series of the same name.

Other TV appearances included guest shots on “Taxi,” “thirtysomething,” “ER,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Mad About You,” “Touched by an Angel” and six episodes of “Will & Grace.” The latter earned her an Emmy nomination, one of seven she earned in her career — including one that resulted in a win, a supporting actress-comedy pick for “Private Benjamin.”

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