The 80-year old Private Benjamin actress, died of bladder cancer at her suburban home in Burbank, Los Angeles. Media representative and Eileen Brennan's Manager, Kim Vasilakis announced on behalf of Eileen Brennan's family. She has been suffering from bladder cancer.

"Our family is so grateful for the outpouring of love and respect for Eileen," Brennan's 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."

Eileen Brennan was nominated in 1981 for an Oscar for her supporting role in the comedy, "Private Benjamin" as U.S Army Captain Doreen Lewis. The role she was given was reprised in the adaptation of the film on TV, which ran form 1981-1983. The reprised role won her a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award respectively.

Eileen Brennan was also casted in a couple of TV series, such as "Murder, She Wrote," "7th Heaven" and "Will & Grace." Eileen Brennan's last appearance was in "Naked Run." The actress is survived by two sons, Sam and Patrick.

In 1985, Eileen Brennan returned to the TV in "Off the Rack," a sitcom. She co-starred with actor Edward Asner. The sitcom only lasted one season with 6 episodes. She then made guest appearances on other shows. Her most notable performance was in "Little Mary Sunshine."

The actress was born Verla Eileen Regina Brennan on 3rd of September 1932. Eileen Brennan grew up in Los Angles and was the daughter of a newspaper reporter who also worked as a former actress and had a career in sales as well. Brennan battled alcoholism in her later years, a problem she was exposed since childhood from her parents. She attended Georgetown University, and later attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

Eileen Brennan's major big break came when she played the lead character in "Little Mary Sunshine," by Rick Besoyan. It was a parody of the operettas that showcased at the Orpheum Theater. She then promptly starred in "The Miracle Worker." Her role was as Hellen Keller's teacher Annie Sullivan. Brennan earned positive reviews in 1963 as Anna in "The King and I." In 1964 she played a young widow, named Irene Molloy in the Broadway staging of "Hello Dolly!"

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