Eileen Brennan , who earned an Oscar nod for `` Private Benjamin , '' is dead at 80 . The actress died in her sleep on Friday morning after a long illness, according to the New York Times. Brennan was known for character roles as sassy , brassy women , the kind with a sandpaper surface but a light , pure heart . She appeared in `` The Sting , '' `` Clue '' and many TV series .
Eileen Brennan , who earned an Oscar nod for `` Private Benjamin , '' is dead at 80 . The actress died in her sleep on Friday morning after a long illness, according to the New York Times. She appeared in `` The Sting , '' `` Clue '' and many TV series .