OSCAR-WINNING IRISH ACTRESS BRENDA FRICKER DIES AT 81

Brenda Fricker, an Oscar-winning Irish actress known for roles in My Left Foot and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, has died at the age of 81. Her agent confirmed the death in a statement, describing Fricker as irreplaceable and noting her significance to film and television audiences worldwide. Fricker won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1990 for her portrayal of Christy Brown's mother, Bridget, in the Jim Sheridan biopic My Left Foot, becoming the first Irish actor to win in that category. In her acceptance speech, she thanked Christy Brown for "just being alive" and his mother, remarking that "anybody who gives birth 22 times deserves one of these."

Fricker began her career as a journalist, serving as assistant to the art editor of the Irish Times before transitioning to acting at 19. She appeared in the 1964 film Of Human Bondage, an adaptation of W Somerset Maugham's novel, and subsequently took roles in Ireland's first soap opera, Tolka Row, as well as performances at the Royal National Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre and the Geffen Playhouse. She joined the cast of the British medical drama Casualty as nurse Megan Roach in 1986, remaining until 1990 and returning to the character periodically thereafter. My Left Foot, which explored the life of Irish artist and writer Christy Brown, who had cerebral palsy and mobility only in his left foot, received extensive award recognition and won Oscars for both Best Supporting Actress and Best Actor, the latter awarded to Daniel Day-Lewis.

Fricker became internationally recognised following My Left Foot's release in 1989. She gained further prominence through her supporting role as the Pigeon Lady in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, a Christmas film that achieved cult status. The character, a homeless woman living in Central Park, befriends the film's young protagonist Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin.