Brenda Benet
Fast Facts
Born: August 14, 1945 (Hollywood, CA)
Died: April 7, 1982 (West Los Angeles, CA)
Spouse: Paul Peterson and Bill Bixby (divorced: 1967 - 1970 and 1971-1979 )
Committed suicide via gunshot.
Most notable for her role as Lee Dumonde on Days of our Lives.
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Born: August 14, 1945 (Hollywood, CA)
Died: April 7, 1982 (West Los Angeles, CA)
Spouse: Paul Peterson and Bill Bixby (divorced: 1967 - 1970 and 1971-1979 )
Committed suicide via gunshot.
Most notable for her role as Lee Dumonde on Days of our Lives.
Show | Role | Episode and/or Year |
---|---|---|
Shindig! | Dancer | 1964 |
McHale's Navy | Karema | 1965 |
Beach Ball | Samantha | 1965 |
Harum Scarum | Emerald | 1965 |
The Young Marrieds | Jill McComb #2 | 1965-1966 |
The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. | Gizelle | 1966 |
Daniel Boone | Princess Wild Flower | 1966 |
The Iron Horse | Kitty Clayborne | 1967 |
The Green Hornet | Girl | 1967 |
Track of Thunder | Shelly Newman | 1967 |
I Dream of Jeannie | Eleanor | 1967 |
The High Chaparrel | Anita de Santiago y Amistad | 1969 |
The F.B.I. | Stewardess | 1969 |
It Takes a Thief | Angela Peters | 1968-1969 |
Where the Heart Is | Sally Moore | 1969 |
Death Valley Days | Chela | 1970 |
My Three Sons | Elyse | 1966-1970 |
Paris 7000 | unknown | 1970 |
Hogan's Heroes | Janine Robinet | 1968-1970 |
This is Your Life | Self | 1971 |
The Most Deadly Game | Mindy | 1971 |
The Courtship of Eddie's Father | Brenda | 1971 |
The Virginian | Susan Masters | 1971 |
Love, American Style | unknown | 1969-1972 |
Wednesday Night Out | unknown | 1972 |
Search | Carol Lesko | 1972 |
The Horror at 37,000 Feet | Sally | 1973 |
Walking Tall | Luan Paxton | 1973 |
The Magician | Joanna Marsh | 1973 |
Mannix | Edie | 1971-1975 |
Celebrity Sweepstakes | Self | 1974 |
The Love Boat | Maureen | 1977 |
Wonder Woman | Morgana | 1978 |
Fantasy Island | Ginny Winthrop | 1978 |
Days of Our Lives | Lee DuMonde Carmichael Williams | 1979-1982 |
The Incredible Hulk | Annie Caplan | 1980 |
Father Murphy | unknown | 1982 |
Brenda Benet, best known for her roles as Lee Dumonde on the NBC Daytime Drama, Days of our Lives, committed suicide at the age of 36 in West Los Angeles, CA.
Benet was born as Brenda Ann Nelson and was the epitome of the classic Hollywood tragedy. Benet spent much of her childhood self-conscious because her complexion was darker than those of her siblings. She felt alienated from her family and often felt she had been adopted. Brenda attended UCLA for a time and majored in languages. She was fluent in French, Italian and Greek languages. She also competed in a Miss USA pageant and loved to dance. Benet built an impressive portfolio that included many roles on popular sitcoms. Her marriage to Bill Bixby resulted in a son, named Christopher. She and Bill divorced in 1979. However, Benet's most personal challenge occurred when her son Christopher died in 1981. While on a skiing vacation at Mammoth Lakes, California, he experienced a sudden illness and went into cardiac arrest after doctors attempted to insert a breathing tube. Benet was devastated by her son's death and sank into a severe depression. It is believed that her role as Lee Dumonde was partly to blame for her death. The character was not a popular one and as a result, she received many hate letters. During this time, she began dating Tammy Bruce. She and Tammy split two weeks before Brenda's suicide. On April 7, 1982, Brenda decided the pains in her life were too overwhelming and took her life. She died instantly.
Benet was born as Brenda Ann Nelson and was the epitome of the classic Hollywood tragedy. Benet spent much of her childhood self-conscious because her complexion was darker than those of her siblings. She felt alienated from her family and often felt she had been adopted. Brenda attended UCLA for a time and majored in languages. She was fluent in French, Italian and Greek languages. She also competed in a Miss USA pageant and loved to dance. Benet built an impressive portfolio that included many roles on popular sitcoms. Her marriage to Bill Bixby resulted in a son, named Christopher. She and Bill divorced in 1979. However, Benet's most personal challenge occurred when her son Christopher died in 1981. While on a skiing vacation at Mammoth Lakes, California, he experienced a sudden illness and went into cardiac arrest after doctors attempted to insert a breathing tube. Benet was devastated by her son's death and sank into a severe depression. It is believed that her role as Lee Dumonde was partly to blame for her death. The character was not a popular one and as a result, she received many hate letters. During this time, she began dating Tammy Bruce. She and Tammy split two weeks before Brenda's suicide. On April 7, 1982, Brenda decided the pains in her life were too overwhelming and took her life. She died instantly.
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