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Photo of Brenda McDonald

Brenda McDonald

Actor
Born February 12, 1931Died November 23, 2024 (93 years)
Brenda McDonald (born Brenda Olive Nicholls; February 12, 1931 – November 23, 2024) was a Canadian actress. Born in London, Brenda moved to Canada at 21, settling first in Toronto, then in Vancouver, where she met her first husband, Thomas Guy, and had four children with him.

She graduated from UBC with a teaching degree in 1977, soon after Thomas had died of a heart attack. She taught English, French and Drama for nine years before quitting to follow her dream of acting. Her career spanned 33 years. She performed on stage, in film, and in training and educational videos, as well as doing voice-over work. She was also very active in community theatre with North Vancouver Community Players and United Players in Jericho.

Her first film gig of note was as a body double for Katharine Hepburn, and over the years she shared the set with many of the greats: Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Anthony Quinn, Paul Hogan and many others. She worked on many Vancouver-shot series, including X-Files, Stargate: Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica, Supernatural, and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. She is known by many for a single line delivered while playing the nun in Elf: “But the children love the books!”

Brenda had an active personal life: she remarried twice, surviving all of her husbands, had 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She maintained her independence by keeping her driving licence until she was 92, played saxophone, attended art classes, walked every day, and she was a passionate fan of Vancouver Canucks.

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • Grave Encounters 2
  • Sanctuary (2008)
  • The Big White
  • Masters of Horror
  • School of Life
  • Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
  • Little Pink House
  • Personal Effects

Known For

  • School of Life
  • The Engagement Ring
  • Floating Away
  • My Husband's Secret Life
  • Joe

Filmography

2024
Niko: Beyond the Northern Lights · as Blitzen / Donner / Nillá (voice)
2018
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (TV Series) · as Dezmelda
2017
Little Pink House · as Agnes Vecchiarelli
2016
On the Farm · as June
2015
2015
Olympus (TV Series) · as Circe
2014
Seventh Son · as Timeless Hag (uncredited)
2014
2013
Witches of East End (TV Series) · as Elderly Elizabeth
2012
Grave Encounters 2 · as Delia Rogerson
2011
Falling Skies (TV Series) · as Ellen
2010
R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour: The Series (TV Series) · as Killer Old Lady
2010
Messages Deleted · as Screaming Woman
2008
Sanctuary (2008) (TV Series) · as Navajo Woman
2007
Reaper (TV Series) · as Mary Ann Fitzgerald
2007
Blood Ties (TV Series) · as Emily
2007
88 Minutes · as Mrs. Lowinsky
2006
Pelts · as Mother Mayter
2006
Scary Movie 4 · as Old Lady Henderson
2006
She's the Man · as Old Lady In Beauty Parlor
2005
2005
Masters of Horror (TV Series) · as Mother Mayter
2005
The Big White · as Mrs Wherry
2005
Supernatural (TV Series) · as Rose Thompson
2005
Personal Effects · as Mrs. Huber
2005
Awake · as Kitty
2005
School of Life · as Maggie Little
2004
Stargate Atlantis (TV Series) · as Charin
2004
Kingdom Hospital (TV Series) · as Parkinson's Person
2003
Battlestar Galactica (TV Series) · as Old Woman
2003
Elf · as Nun
2003
Joe · as Cast
2002
Hellraiser: Hellseeker · as Angular Nurse
2002
Breaking News (TV Series) · as Esther White
2002
Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice · as Elderly Woman
2002
Brother's Keeper · as Homeless Woman
2001
The Black Door · as Old Woman
2000
2000
Mysterious Ways (TV Series) · as Declan's Mother
2000
Trial by Fire · as Mary Edzo
1999
Atomic Train (TV Series) · as Older Woman
1999
Strange World (TV Series) · as Ruth Weaver
1999
The Wonder Cabinet · as Mrs. Purcell
1998
Floating Away · as Mum
1998
My Husband's Secret Life · as Nellie Mcclary
1998
1997
Mr. Magoo · as Opera Patron
1997
The Wonderful World of Disney (TV Series) · as Mary's Friend
1997
Mummies Alive! (1997) (TV Series) · as Cast
1997
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (TV Series) · as Zerelda Hart (segment "mysterious Strangers")
1996
Millennium (TV Series) · as Mrs. Steinberg
1996
Panic in the Skies · as Jennifer Pickett
1996
Past Perfect · as Older Woman
1996
Poltergeist: The Legacy (TV Series) · as Amanda Guthrie
1995
The Outer Limits (1995) (TV Series) · as Old Arthritic Woman
1995
Someone to Die For · as Grandma
1995
The New Adventures of Madeline (TV Series) · as Additional Voices (2000)
1994
Viper (TV Series) · as Mrs. Fletcher
1993
Madison (TV Series) · as Joyce Cunningham
1993
The X-Files (TV Series) · as Mrs. Loach
1992
Leaving Normal · as Motel Clerk

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