‘My Left Foot’ and ‘Home Alone 2’ star Brenda Fricker has died at the age of 81
The actress passed away at her home in Dublin.
By Nick Reilly
Irish actress Brenda Fricker, best known for her Oscar-winning turn in My Left Foot and a memorable role in Home Alone 2, has died at the age of 81.
Fricker won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Daniel Day-Lewis’s on-screen mother in the 1990 film, and portrayed the Pigeon Lady of Central Park in the Home Alone sequel.
In a statement, her agent Phil Belfield said: “It is with much sadness that I share the news that beloved actress Brenda Fricker passed away last night peacefully after a period of ill health, at the age of 81.
“Dublin born and bred, Brenda Fricker undoubtedly deserves the noun legend. We will never see her like again and the world is lesser for the lack of her.
“I was honoured to know, love and work with her, and she will always have a place in my heart and in the heart of so many film and TV fans the world over.”
Fricker also played nurse Megan Roach in the BBC’s Casualty from 1986 until her final turn in 2010.
Born in Dublin, Fricker’s first major role came in Coronation Street in 1977. Her Oscars triumph in 1990 saw her become the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award. The film also featured an Oscar winning turn from Daniel Day-Lewis as the real life Christy Brown, who was born with cerebral palsy and could control only his left foot.
Fricker was also well known for roles in films such as So I Married An Axe Murderer (1993), Angels In the Outfield (1994), and A Time to Kill (1996).
Her more recently roles included the TV adaptation of Graham Norton’s first novel Holding, directed by Kathy Burke, and the Channel 5 drama series The Catch.
She was also awarded the freedom of the city of Dublin in February.