Eileen Brennan was an American actress (1932-2013). She trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York in the mid-1950s. In 1964, Brennan originated the role of Irene Malloy in the musical Hello, Dolly! She later found success on TV and film, notably with her role in the movie Private Benjamin and the TV adaptation of Private Benjamin, for which she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy.