BM
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.
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.
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 | Garage Sale Mystery: The Wedding Dress · as Librarian |
| 2015 | Olympus (TV Series) · as Circe |
| 2014 | Seventh Son · as Timeless Hag (uncredited) |
| 2014 | Clue: A Movie Mystery Adventure · as Old Woman |
| 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 | The Engagement Ring · as Nana |
| 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 | The New Adventures of Spin and Marty: Suspect Behavior · as Mary's Friend |
| 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 | Mummies Alive! The Legend Begins · as Cast |
| 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 |