
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.
Acting (19 movies)

The Big White
2005

Hellraiser: Hellseeker
2002

The Engagement Ring
2005

Little Pink House
2018

Seventh Son
2014

The New Adventures of Spin and Marty: Suspect Behavior
2000

Mr. Magoo
1997

School of Life
2005

Pelts
2006

Garage Sale Mystery: The Wedding Dress
2015

Grave Encounters 2
2012

She's the Man
2006

Scary Movie 4
2006

88 Minutes
2007

Elf
2003

Messages Deleted
2010

Niko: Beyond the Northern Lights
2024

Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice
2002

Trial By Fire: A North of 60 Mystery
2000
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