Brenda Vaccaro, born Brenda Buell Vaccaro on November 18, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York, is an American actress with a career spanning over half a century.

Raised in Dallas, Texas, by her Italian-American parents, Christine M. and Mario A. Vaccaro, who founded Mario's Restaurant in 1943, she developed an early interest in acting.

At the age of 17, she returned to New York City to study acting under Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse, making her Broadway debut in the short-lived 1961 comedy "Everybody Loves Opal," for which she won a Theatre World Award.

Her Broadway credits include "The Affair" (1962), "Cactus Flower" (1965), the musical "How Now, Dow Jones" (1967), "The Goodbye People" (1968), the female version of "The Odd Couple" (1985), and "Jake's Women" (1992).

She is a three-time Tony Award nominee for her performances in these productions. Her husky voice and strong personality have made her a memorable presence on stage and screen.

In film, Brenda Vaccaro is perhaps best known for her roles in "Midnight Cowboy" (1969), for which she received a Golden Globe nomination, and "Once Is Not Enough" (1975), which earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actress.

Her other notable screen credits include "Airport '77," "Capricorn One," "Supergirl," "The Mirror Has Two Faces," and "Heart of Midnight."

On television, she has appeared in a variety of roles, including the title role in the 1976 series "Sara," a number of television movies, and guest appearances on shows such as "The Golden Girls," "Friends," and "Nip/Tuck." She has been nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards, winning one for her role in "The Shape of Things" in 1974.

Her personal life has seen several marriages and relationships. She was married to Martin Fried from 1965 to 1970, William Bishop from 1977 to 1978, and Charles Cannizzaro for a brief period in 1981.

Since 1986, she has been married to Guy Hector, a real estate executive and businessman.

Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including one Academy Award nomination, three Golden Globe nominations (winning one), four Primetime Emmy nominations (winning one), and three Tony nominations.