Brenda Fricker, Oscar Winner and ‘Home Alone 2’ Star, Dies at 81

• Brenda Fricker, best known for her Oscar-winning role in “My Left Foot” and her memorable appearance in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”, has died at 81. Her death was confirmed by her agent, Phil Belfield.

• Fricker made history in 1990 as the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award. She won Best Supporting Actress for her role in “My Left Foot” alongside Daniel Day-Lewis.

• Beyond film, Fricker built a respected career in television and theatre. She was known for playing nurse Megan Roach in BBC’s “Casualty” from its first episode in 1986.

• Edward Walsh, the US Ambassador to Ireland, described Fricker as “a giant of Irish film” whose work “brought Ireland’s stories to the world and inspired generations on both sides of the Atlantic.”

July 17, () — Irish actress Brenda Fricker, who won an Oscar for her role in “My Left Foot” and became known worldwide for “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”, has died at the age of 81 in Dublin.

Her agent, Phil Belfield, confirmed her death on Friday, July 17, 2026, and paid tribute to the actress, saying: “We will never see her like again and the world is lesser for the lack of her.”

Born in Dublin in 1945, Fricker began her career in television and theatre before becoming one of Ireland’s most respected actors.

She appeared in early productions including Ireland’s first soap opera “Tolka Row” and later had roles in “Coronation Street” and other British television shows.

Fricker gained major recognition as nurse Megan Roach in the BBC medical drama “Casualty, appearing in the show’s first episode in 1986. She remained connected to the series for many years, making her final appearance in 2010.

Her biggest career achievement came with the 1989 film “My Left Foot”, a biographical drama based on the life of Irish writer and artist Christy Brown, who was born with severe cerebral palsy and learned to create art and write using only his left foot.

Fricker played Bridget Fagan Brown, Christy’s fiercely supportive mother, alongside Daniel Day-Lewis, who portrayed Brown.

Fricker won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1990, becoming the first Irish actress to receive the honour.

Two years later, she gained a new generation of fans with her role as the kind-hearted Pigeon Lady in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.”

The character, who befriends Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin McCallister in Central Park, became one of the film’s most memorable roles.

Fricker went on to appear in films including “So I Married an Axe Murderer”, “Angels in the Outfield”, “A Time to Kill”, “Veronica Guerin” and “Albert Nobbs.”

She also enjoyed a successful stage career, performing with major theatre companies in the UK and United States.

Throughout her career, Fricker was praised for bringing honesty, strength and warmth to her performances. Her work helped establish her as one of Ireland’s most celebrated actors.

Edward Walsh, the US Ambassador to Ireland, described Fricker as “a giant of Irish film” whose work “brought Ireland’s stories to the world and inspired generations on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Fricker leaves behind a lasting legacy as one of Ireland’s most beloved performers, with performances that continue to resonate with audiences around the world and preserve her place in the history of Irish cinema.