Brenda Benet - Film & Theater Personalities, Facts and Childhood
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Brenda Benet's Personal Details
Brenda Benet was an American TV and film actress
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | August 14, 1945 |
| Died on | April 7, 1982 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Film & Theater Personalities, Actresses |
| City/State | California |
| Partners |
|
| Spouses | Bill Bixby (m. 1971 – div. 1980), Paul Petersen (m. 1967 – div. 1970) |
| Known as | Brenda Ann Benet, Brenda Ann Nelson |
| Cause of death | Suicide |
| Birth Place | Los Angeles, California |
| Height | 160cm |
| Gender | Female |
| Sun Sign | Leo |
| Born in | Los Angeles, California |
| Famous as | Actress |
| Died at Age | 36 |
// Famous Film & Theater Personalities
Brenda Benet's photo
Who is Brenda Benet?
Brenda Benet was an American TV and film actor, best known for her performances in the soap operas ‘The Young Marrieds’ and ‘Days of Our Lives.’ She bagged her first acting role in 1964, in the ‘ABC’ sitcom ‘Wendy and Me.’ With time, she became a highly successful actor and made several TV appearances in shows in such as ‘I Dream of Jeannie,’ ‘Daniel Boone,’ ‘Mannix,’ ‘My Three Sons,’ ‘Hogan's Heroes,’ ‘Love, American Style,’ ‘Wonder Woman,’ ‘The Love Boat,’ and ‘The Courtship of Eddie's Father.’ She made her film debut in the 1965 film ‘Beach Ball,’ playing ‘Samantha.’ She also had an important role in the 1973 film ‘Walking Tall.’ Her last appearance was in the TV show ‘Father Murphy’ in 1982. She played a character named ‘Rachel Hansen’ in an episode of the show. Although she had a booming career, Brenda later retired from the entertainment industry to focus on her family, However, she fell into severe depression after the death of her son. In 1982, she committed suicide by putting a revolver in her mouth. She died in her Los Angeles home.
// Famous Actresses
Childhood & Early Life
Brenda was born Brenda Ann Nelson, on August 14, 1945, in Los Angeles, California. Brenda was darker than her siblings. This made her fantasize whether she was adopted.
She often felt she did not fit in the family. She was self-conscious and felt awkward in her teenage years.
She attended the ‘University of California, Los Angeles’ (UCLA) for a while, where she majored in languages.
Career
She made her TV debut with the series ‘Wendy and Me’ in 1964. She played ‘Shamir’ in an episode of the series.
In 1965, she was chosen to play ‘Jill McComb’ in the American day-time soap opera ‘The Young Marrieds.’
She appeared as ‘Karema’ in the series ‘McHale’s Navy’ before she appeared on ‘The Young Marrieds.’ In 1966, she played ‘Gizelle’ in an American spy fiction TV series named ‘The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.’
The same year, she also appeared as ‘Princess Little Fawn’ in an American action–adventure TV series named ‘Daniel Boone.’ The show starred Fess Parker as ‘Daniel Boone.’
In 1966, she appeared in two episodes of the ‘ABC’ TV show ‘My Three Sons.’
She made appearances in shows such as ‘I Dream of Jeannie,’ ‘The Iron Horse,’ and ‘The Green Hornet’ in 1967. In 1968, she appeared in two episodes of the ‘ABC’ action–adventure series ‘It Takes a Thief.’
The same year, she also appeared in three episodes of ‘Hogan’s Heroes.’ In 1969, she appeared in shows such as ‘Where the Heart Is,’ ‘The F.B.I.,’ ‘To Rome With Love,’ and ‘The High Chaparral.’
The following year, she had a three-episode role in the comedy TV series ‘Love, American Style.’ In the 1970s, she made appearances in a number of shows such as ‘Death Valley Days,’ ‘The Virginian,’ ‘Mannix,’ ‘Search,’ ‘Tattletales,’ ‘The Love Boat,’ ‘Fantasy Island,’ and ‘Carter County.’
She also had a notable role in the American TV series ‘Wonder Woman’ in 1978. She played ‘Morgana’ in an episode of the series.
She played ‘Lee DuMonde Carmichael Williams’ in the day-time soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives.’ She was part of the regular cast and appeared in 255 episodes of the show.
In 1980, she portrayed ‘Annie Caplan’ in the TV series ‘The Incredible Hulk.’ Her last screen appearance was in 1982, in an episode of the show ‘Father Murphy.’ She played the part of ‘Rachel Hansen’ in the drama series.
She made her film debut with the 1956 film ‘Beach Ball,’ which featured her as ‘Samantha.’
The same year, she got an opportunity to appear in the American musical comedy ‘Harum Scarum,’ starring Elvis Presley. She played ‘Emerald’ in the film.
In 1967, she appeared in a stock car-racing film named ‘Track of Thunder.’ She portrayed ‘Shelly Newman’ in the film.
In 1973, she played ‘Luan Paxton’ in the cult classic ‘Walking Tall.’ The American semi-biopic was based on the life of Sheriff Buford Pusser, a professional wrestler-turned-lawman.
The film was a huge hit and had two direct sequels of its own, a TV movie, and a brief TV series. Even its remake had its own two sequels.
Brenda’s role in the film was important. This was also the last film of her career.
After 16 years in the industry, Brenda decided to focus on raising a family. She thus quit acting and focused on her personal life.
Personal Life
Brenda married ‘The Donna Reed Show’ actor Paul Petersen in 1967. The couple divorced in 1970 after Brenda started dating actor Bill Bixby.
She divorced Paul and married Bixby in 1971. She gave birth to her son, Christopher Sean, in September 1974.
In 1980, Bixby and Brenda divorced. She then started dating American radio host, author, and ‘Fox News’ contributor Tammy Bruce.
Brenda was shaken when her son, Christopher, died at the age of 6. They were on a skiing vacation at Mammoth Lakes when the incident took place.
Her son suffered a cardiac arrest after doctors inserted a breathing tube to cure his acute epiglottitis. He died in March 1981.
Christopher’s death affected Brenda in a terrible way. Her divorce from Bixby also contributed to her deteriorating mental health.
Her character in ‘Days of Our Lives’ also became unpopular with her fans when the character broke up the popular couple of ‘Doug’ and ‘Julie.’ Brenda could not keep up with life’s challenges and sank into severe depression.
On April 7, 1982, she placed a Colt .38-cal. revolver into her mouth and pulled the trigger. She died instantly in her West Los Angeles home.
She was only 36 at the time of her death. In her book, ‘The Death of Right and Wrong,’ Tammy Bruce wrote about the day Brenda committed suicide.
Tammy and Brenda shared the house in which Brenda died. Tammy explained that she had already moved out 2 weeks before the suicide.
On the day of Brenda’s death, Tammy was supposed to meet her for lunch. When Tammy went inside, Brenda was already in the bathroom.
Tammy sensed something was wrong and went out to get help, but Brenda had already shot herself by then.
// Famous People Who Died of Suicide
Brenda Benet biography timelines
- // 14th Aug 1945Brenda was born Brenda Ann Nelson, on August 14, 1945, in Los Angeles, California. Brenda was darker than her siblings. This made her fantasize whether she was adopted.
- // 1956She made her film debut with the 1956 film ‘Beach Ball,’ which featured her as ‘Samantha.’
- // 1964She made her TV debut with the series ‘Wendy and Me’ in 1964. She played ‘Shamir’ in an episode of the series.
- // 1965In 1965, she was chosen to play ‘Jill McComb’ in the American day-time soap opera ‘The Young Marrieds.’
- // 1966She appeared as ‘Karema’ in the series ‘McHale’s Navy’ before she appeared on ‘The Young Marrieds.’ In 1966, she played ‘Gizelle’ in an American spy fiction TV series named ‘The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.’
- // 1966In 1966, she appeared in two episodes of the ‘ABC’ TV show ‘My Three Sons.’
- // 1967 To 1968She made appearances in shows such as ‘I Dream of Jeannie,’ ‘The Iron Horse,’ and ‘The Green Hornet’ in 1967. In 1968, she appeared in two episodes of the ‘ABC’ action–adventure series ‘It Takes a Thief.’
- // 1967In 1967, she appeared in a stock car-racing film named ‘Track of Thunder.’ She portrayed ‘Shelly Newman’ in the film.
- // 1967 To 1970Brenda married ‘The Donna Reed Show’ actor Paul Petersen in 1967. The couple divorced in 1970 after Brenda started dating actor Bill Bixby.
- // 1969The same year, she also appeared in three episodes of ‘Hogan’s Heroes.’ In 1969, she appeared in shows such as ‘Where the Heart Is,’ ‘The F.B.I.,’ ‘To Rome With Love,’ and ‘The High Chaparral.’
- // 1971 To Sep 1974She divorced Paul and married Bixby in 1971. She gave birth to her son, Christopher Sean, in September 1974.
- // 1973In 1973, she played ‘Luan Paxton’ in the cult classic ‘Walking Tall.’ The American semi-biopic was based on the life of Sheriff Buford Pusser, a professional wrestler-turned-lawman.
- // 1978She also had a notable role in the American TV series ‘Wonder Woman’ in 1978. She played ‘Morgana’ in an episode of the series.
- // 1980 To 1982In 1980, she portrayed ‘Annie Caplan’ in the TV series ‘The Incredible Hulk.’ Her last screen appearance was in 1982, in an episode of the show ‘Father Murphy.’ She played the part of ‘Rachel Hansen’ in the drama series.
- // 1980In 1980, Bixby and Brenda divorced. She then started dating American radio host, author, and ‘Fox News’ contributor Tammy Bruce.
- // Mar 1981Her son suffered a cardiac arrest after doctors inserted a breathing tube to cure his acute epiglottitis. He died in March 1981.
- // 7th Apr 1982On April 7, 1982, she placed a Colt .38-cal. revolver into her mouth and pulled the trigger. She died instantly in her West Los Angeles home.
// Famous People From California
Brenda Benet's FAQ
What is Brenda Benet birthday?
Brenda Benet was born at 1945-08-14
When was Brenda Benet died?
Brenda Benet was died at 1982-04-07
Where was Brenda Benet died?
Brenda Benet was died in Los Angeles, California
Which age was Brenda Benet died?
Brenda Benet was died at age 36
Where is Brenda Benet's birth place?
Brenda Benet was born in Los Angeles, California
What is Brenda Benet nationalities?
Brenda Benet's nationalities is American
Who is Brenda Benet spouses?
Brenda Benet's spouses is Bill Bixby (m. 1971 – div. 1980), Paul Petersen (m. 1967 – div. 1970)
What is Brenda Benet's cause of dead?
Brenda Benet dead because of Suicide
How tall is Brenda Benet?
Brenda Benet's height is 160
What is Brenda Benet's sun sign?
Brenda Benet is Leo
How famous is Brenda Benet?
Brenda Benet is famouse as Actress