Brenda Fricker, the first Irish woman to win the Academy Award for best actress, has died at the age of 81.
On the 17th (local time), according to overseas media including the BBC, Brenda Fricker died the previous day after a battle with illness. Her agency, in an official statement, announced Brenda Fricker's death and said "we will never see anyone like her again," and "the world without her has become even more desolate," expressing deep sorrow.
They added, "It was an honor to know her, love her and work with her. She will always hold a place in my heart and in the hearts of countless film and TV fans around the world," they mourned.
Born in Dublin in 1945, Brenda Fricker began acting after working as an art editor at The Irish Times, and built her acting career appearing in small roles on TV and stage, including the 1960s Irish soap opera 'Tolka Row,' Ireland's first serial drama. She later appeared in the 1977 British drama Coronation Street and joined the BBC medical drama Casualty in 1986, becoming a regular until 1990 and gradually establishing her position.
In particular, Brenda Fricker won the Academy Award for best supporting actress for her role as the mother of Daniel Day-Lewis in the 1990 film My Left Foot. My Left Foot is a film based on the true story of Christy Brown (played by Day-Lewis), an Irishman born with cerebral palsy who could move only his left foot, and through this Brenda Fricker won the Academy Award over Hollywood stars including Julia Roberts and Anjelica Huston, making history as the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award.
She later appeared as the 'pigeon lady' character who befriends Kevin (played by Macaulay Culkin) in the movie Home Alone 2, earning much love from domestic fans. She also appeared in the films So I Married an Axe Murderer, Angels in the Outfield, Moll Flanders, A Time to Kill, Veronica Guerin, Albert Nobbs, Inside I'm Dancing, and the film The Swallow directed by Ted O'Sullivan, released in 2024, remains her final work.
Reacting to the death of the world-renowned actress, Irish deputy prime minister Simon Harris said he felt "deep sorrow" at the death of "a national treasure." He said, "She was a consummate performer who lit up screen and stage with exceptional talent and authenticity. Brenda brought depth and humanity to every role she took on," and "she was truly one of the greatest talents our country produced and an ambassador for Irish talent on the world stage. We will never see anyone like her again," he mourned.
Edward M. Walsh, U.S. ambassador to Ireland, also called Brenda Fricker "a giant of Irish cinema" and praised her unforgettable performance in My Left Foot. He said, "From Dublin to Hollywood, her work brought Ireland's stories to the world and inspired generations on both sides of the Atlantic," and "she leaves a remarkable legacy, and I extend my deepest condolences to her family, friends and all who loved her."
[photo] still from Home Alone
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