Irish actress Brenda Fricker, who won an Academy Award for her role in the 1989 film 'My Left Foot,' has died at the age of 81. Her agent, Phil Belfield, confirmed her death in a statement, noting she passed peacefully in Dublin after a period of declining health.
Fricker made history as the first Irish woman to win an Oscar, earning the Best Supporting Actress award for her portrayal of Bridget Fagan Brown, the mother of Christy Brown, an artist with cerebral palsy. Daniel Day-Lewis, who played Christy Brown, also won an Oscar for his performance. The film was nominated for multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Beyond 'My Left Foot,' Fricker was widely recognized for her role as the Pigeon Lady in the 1992 film 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,' where she befriended Macaulay Culkin's character, Kevin McCallister. Her career spanned nearly 100 projects across film, television, and theater, including roles in 'The Field,' 'Angels in the Outfield,' 'A Time to Kill,' and 'Veronica Guerin.'
In a rare interview last year, Fricker opened up about her health struggles, revealing she was confined to her bed due to chronic pain and breathlessness. Despite her condition, she remained optimistic, joking that she might live to be 100. Her agent described her as a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, whose talent and warmth left a lasting impact on fans worldwide.