Brenda Fricker, the acclaimed Irish actress who became the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award and was loved by generations of fans for her unforgettable performances in My Left Foot and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, has died. She was 81.

Her agent, Phil Belfield, confirmed that Fricker passed away peacefully following a period of ill health.

“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,” Belfield said in a statement.

Calling her a true legend, he added, “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.”

A remarkable career spanning six decades

Fricker made history in 1990 when she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her powerful performance in My Left Foot, becoming the first Irish actress to receive an Oscar.

Over a career that lasted more than 60 years, she appeared in more than 30 film and television productions. She starred in acclaimed films including The Field, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Angels in the Outfield, A Time to Kill, Veronica Guerin, and Inside I’m Dancing.

For many movie fans, however, she will always be remembered as the gentle Pigeon Lady who befriended Kevin McCallister in the holiday classic Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

On television, Fricker was part of the original cast of the BBC medical drama Casualty. She also appeared in Coronation Street as Nurse Maloney and later joined the ITV drama Upstairs, Downstairs.

Her final television projects included the 2021 ITV drama Holding, based on Graham Norton’s novel, and Channel 5’s The Catch.

According to Belfield, her last solo film role in Tadhg O’Sullivan’s The Swallow perfectly captured “the truth and majesty of Brenda as an actor.”

A life marked by triumph and hardship

Born in Dublin in 1945, Fricker grew up in the suburb of Dundrum. Her father, Desmond, worked as a journalist for The Irish Times and RTÉ, while her mother, Bina, was a schoolteacher.

She was married to director Barry Davies from 1979 until their divorce in 1988.

Away from the spotlight, Fricker spoke openly about the personal struggles she faced throughout her life. She revealed that several miscarriages left her battling severe depression for many years.

In her 2025 memoir, She Died Young, which became an Irish Sunday Times bestseller, she also shared painful memories of childhood grooming and sexual assault.

Fricker later explained that she wrote the memoir partly because she was dealing with financial difficulties.

“It was very painful bringing them back,” she told The Guardian, referring to the difficult memories she revisited while writing the book. “I thought they were a bit morbid. I think I’m a bit morbid. I’m Irish.”

Earlier this year, Fricker was honored with the Freedom of the City of Dublin, an award her agent said she was especially proud to receive.

Tributes honor an Irish screen icon

Following news of her death, tributes quickly poured in from fans and public figures around the world.

U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh described Fricker as “a giant of Irish film,” praising her unforgettable performance in My Left Foot and her lasting impact on cinema.

“From Dublin to Hollywood, her work brought Ireland’s stories to the world and inspired generations on both sides of the Atlantic,” he wrote. “She leaves a remarkable legacy.”

Fans also celebrated her extraordinary career, with many calling her one of Ireland’s greatest actors and remembering her as a true cinema legend whose performances will continue to inspire audiences for years to come.