When we lost Brian Dennehy in April 2020, the headlines focused on the "big" things. They talked about the 6'3" frame that made him look like he could actually take down Rambo in First Blood. They praised the two Tony Awards and that gravelly, unmistakable voice that gave Big Tom Callahan so much heart in Tommy Boy. But if you looked at the family statement released by his daughter Elizabeth, the most poignant detail wasn't about his IMDB page. It was about who was in the room.
Basically, Brian Dennehy died with his wife, Jennifer Arnott, and their son, Cormac, right by his side.
For a guy who spent decades playing tough-as-nails cops, corrupt sheriffs, and tragic fathers like Willy Loman, his private life was surprisingly grounded. He wasn't the kind of actor who showed up in the tabloids for some messy late-night bender or a public feud. Instead, he spent over thirty years built on a partnership with a woman who worked behind the scenes in the very same industry that made him a star.
The Woman Behind the Scenes: Who is Jennifer Arnott?
Honestly, most people don't know much about Jennifer Arnott, and that seems to be exactly how she and Brian wanted it. While Brian was front and center, absorbing the spotlight in New York or on film sets in Toronto, Jennifer was a successful costume designer.
They tied the knot in 1988. If you’re doing the math, that means they were married for 32 years. In Hollywood years, that’s basically an eternity.
Jennifer wasn't just "the wife" on the red carpet; she was a professional who understood the grind of production. They met at a time when Brian's career was truly exploding. He’d just come off the massive success of Cocoon and Silverado, and he was no longer just a "that guy" character actor. He was a leading man.
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Together, they raised two children:
- Cormac Dennehy, who has since made his own mark in the corporate world but often accompanied his dad to events.
- Sarah Dennehy, their daughter who rounded out the second half of Brian’s large family.
They eventually settled far away from the glitz of Beverly Hills. They lived on a farm in Woodstock, Connecticut. You’ve gotta love that. A guy who played "Big Tom" actually lived on a farm, probably enjoying the quiet when he wasn't screaming at audiences from a Broadway stage.
The First Chapter: Judith Scheff
You can't really talk about Brian Dennehy and his wife Jennifer without acknowledging the foundation of his earlier life. Long before the fame, back in 1959, Brian married Judith Scheff.
This was the "struggle" era.
Brian wasn't an actor yet—at least not a professional one. He was a Marine. He was a guy working odd jobs. He was a truck driver, a bartender, and even a stockbroker for a hot minute. Judith was there for the lean years, the years where they were raising three daughters—Elizabeth, Kathleen, and Deirdre—in a small apartment while Brian tried to figure out if he could actually make a living pretending to be other people.
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They stayed together for quite a while, nearly 15 years, before divorcing in 1974. It’s a classic story of a couple that grew together and then, unfortunately, grew apart as the pressures of a burgeoning career and five mouths to feed took their toll.
A Family of Actors
One of the coolest things about the Dennehy clan is how the "acting bug" became a family business. Brian’s daughters from his first marriage didn't just watch their dad from the sidelines.
Elizabeth Dennehy became a powerhouse in her own right. If you’re a Trekkie, you know her as Lt. Commander Shelby from Star Trek: The Next Generation. She’s the one who gave Riker a run for his money. Kathleen Dennehy also followed the path, appearing in shows like ER and Law & Order.
It says a lot about Brian as a father that his kids wanted to join the same industry he worked in. Usually, actors' kids want to do anything but act because they saw how much it took from their parents. But Brian seemingly managed to keep his kids' feet on the ground. Elizabeth has been quoted saying that despite his fame, she and her sisters "inwardly roll our eyes" when people ask what it was like growing up with a movie star. To them, he was just Dad—a guy who worked hard and loved a good story.
What Brian Dennehy Taught Us About Longevity
Looking at Brian Dennehy and wife Jennifer Arnott’s relationship, there’s a lesson in there about finding "your person" who gets the work.
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The industry is brutal. It breaks people. But Brian seemed to find a rhythm in his second marriage that allowed him to do the most intense work of his life. It was during his years with Jennifer that he tackled the heavy hitters:
- Death of a Salesman (Tony Award win)
- Long Day's Journey Into Night (Another Tony win)
- The Iceman Cometh
He was known for being "larger than life," but Jennifer was clearly the anchor that kept that life from drifting out to sea.
The Quiet End in New Haven
When the news broke that Brian had passed at the age of 81, there was a brief moment of panic because it was April 2020—the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elizabeth was quick to clear the air on Twitter, stating it was natural causes and had nothing to do with the virus.
He died in New Haven, Connecticut. Close to home. Close to the farm.
The legacy he left behind isn't just a collection of DVDs or streaming credits. It’s a massive, blended family that seems to genuinely like each other. That’s a rare feat for any celebrity, let alone one who worked until his final days.
What You Can Learn From the Dennehy Legacy
If you’re looking at Brian’s life and his long-standing marriage to Jennifer as a model, here are a few "expert" takeaways on how they made it work:
- Privacy is a Choice: You don't have to share everything. Brian and Jennifer kept their home life in Connecticut off-limits, which likely saved them from the "Hollywood curse."
- Support the Craft: Jennifer's background in costume design meant she wasn't just a spectator; she was a peer. Find a partner who respects the "why" behind what you do.
- Location Matters: Getting out of the L.A. bubble can save your sanity. The move to Woodstock allowed them to be a family first and a "Hollywood couple" second.
Next Step: If you want to see the performance Brian Dennehy was most proud of during his years with Jennifer, go find the 2000 TV movie version of Death of a Salesman. It captures a man at the height of his powers, supported by a family that let him go to those dark places because they knew he had a safe home to return to.