Brenda Fricker, first Irish woman to win an Oscar, dies aged 81 in Dublin
Her agent confirmed the Irish actress died Thursday in Dublin after a period of ill health; Fricker won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1990 for her role as the mother of disabled artist Christy Brown in 'My Left Foot,' and was also known internationally as the Pigeon Lady in 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York'
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Summary
Brenda Fricker, the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award, died in Dublin on July 17, aged 81. Her agent confirmed the death "after a period of ill health." Fricker won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1990 for 'My Left Foot,' in which she played the mother of disabled artist Christy Brown. She later became known internationally to a new generation as the Pigeon Lady in 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.' Her screen career spanned more than five decades.
Why it matters
Fricker was the first Irish woman to reach the Academy Award podium, a landmark for Irish cinema. Her role in 'My Left Foot' and her later appearance in 'Home Alone 2' gave her an unusually wide international audience across both art-house and mainstream American studio film.
What to watch
- Retrospective and tribute coverage from Ireland's national arts and cultural institutions
- Whether streaming platforms report increased viewership of her key films following news of her death