Home Alone 2 and My Left Foot actress Brenda Fricker, who became the first woman from the Republic of Ireland to win an Oscar, has died aged 81.
Her death was confirmed by her agent Phil Belfield, who described the Irish actress as a “legend” whom he was “honoured to know”.
Belfield’s statement 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.”
He had: “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 won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance as Bridget Fagan Brown in 1989’s My Left Foot, which tells the story of an Irish man named Christy Brown who was born with cerebral palsy and could control only his left foot.
She was also well known for her role in the 1992 follow-up to Home Alone, where she played Pigeon Lady, a homeless woman in New York’s Central Park.
The Irish premier Micheál Martin has said he is “deeply saddened” to learn of the death of Brenda Fricker.
In a post on the social media site X, the Taoiseach said: “She was an iconic figure in Irish film and theatre, an Oscar winner and an actor of world renown.
“My thoughts are with her family and friends.”
Irish Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of Fricker’s death, describing her as a “national treasure” and extending his “deepest sympathies” to her family and friends.
He added: “As the first Irish woman to win an acting Oscar, she opened doors and set a standard of excellence that continues to inspire generations of Irish artists.
“She was a consummate performer who graced our screens and stages with remarkable talent and authenticity. Brenda brought depth and humanity to every role she undertook.
Fricker was also part of the original cast of BBC medical drama Casualty and featured alongside Cate Blanchett in Veronica Guerin (2003), as well as appearing in ITV drama Upstairs, Downstairs and soap opera Coronation Street.
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She 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 later roles included the TV adaptation of Graham Norton’s first novel Holding, directed by Kathy Burke, and the Channel 5 drama series The Catch.
Fricker also made numerous stage appearances in plays such as Lavender Blue and A Pagan’s Place at theatres including the National Theatre and Royal Court Theatre.
Belfield said “Brenda’s versatility was renowned” and that her most recent solo film performance in Tadhg O’Sullivan’s The Swallow showed “the truth and majesty of Brenda as an actor” and said it was “a thing of beauty”.
Fricker’s memoir She Died Young appeared on the Irish Sunday Times bestseller list, and she was recently granted the Freedom of the City of Dublin, which Belfield said she was “particularly thrilled and proud of”.
She was married to director Barry Davies from 1979 until their divorce in 1988.
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