Brenda McDonald
Biography
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.
Known For

Supernatural

The X-Files

The X-Files

Stargate Atlantis

Scary Movie 4

R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour

Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction

The Outer Limits
All Movies (20)
- Niko: Beyond the Northern Lights2024 · as Blitzen / Donner / Nillá (voice)
- Little Pink House2018 · as Agnes Vecchiarelli
- Garage Sale Mystery: The Wedding Dress2015 · as Librarian
- Seventh Son2014 · as Timeless Hag (uncredited)
- Clue: A Movie Mystery Adventure2014 · as Old Woman
- Grave Encounters 22012 · as Delia Rogerson
- Messages Deleted2010 · as Screaming Woman
- 88 Minutes2007 · as Mrs. Lowinsky
- Pelts2006 · as Mother Mayter
- Scary Movie 42006 · as Old Lady Henderson
- She's the Man2006 · as Old Lady in Beauty Parlor
- The Engagement Ring2005 · as Nana
- The Big White2005 · as Mrs Wherry
- School of Life2005 · as Maggie Little
- Elf2003 · as Nun
- Hellraiser: Hellseeker2002 · as Angular Nurse
- Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice2002 · as Elderly Woman
- The New Adventures of Spin and Marty: Suspect Behavior2000 · as Mary's Friend
- Trial By Fire: A North of 60 Mystery2000 · as Mary Edzo
- Mr. Magoo1997 · as Opera Patron
All TV Shows (16)
- Chilling Adventures of Sabrina2018 · as Dezmelda
- Witches of East End2013 · as Elderly Elizabeth
- R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour2010 · as Killer Old Lady
- Sanctuary2008 · as Navajo Woman
- Reaper2007 · as Mary Ann Fitzgerald
- Blood Ties2007 · as Emily
- Masters of Horror2005 · as Mother Mayter
- Supernatural2005 · as Rose Thompson
- Stargate Atlantis2004 · as Charin
- The Wonderful World of Disney1997 · as Mary's Friend
- Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction1997 · as Zerelda Hart (segment "Mysterious Strangers")
- The Outer Limits1995 · as Mrs. Eikenberry
- The Outer Limits1995 · as Old Arthritic Woman
- Viper1994 · as Mrs. Fletcher
- The X-Files1993 · as Auntie Janet
- The X-Files1993 · as Mrs. Loach