Brenda Fricker, Oscar-winning Irish actress and 'Home Alone' Pigeon Lady, dies at 81

Oscar-winning Irish actress Brenda Fricker, known for her powerful performance in "My Left Foot" and her memorable role in "Home Alone 2," has died at the age of 81. Fricker passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Dublin following a period of ill health, her agent Phil Belfield confirmed on Friday.

Fricker made history in 1990 by becoming the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award, securing the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Christy Brown's mother in the 1989 film "My Left Foot." Beyond her critically acclaimed work, she also garnered widespread recognition for her beloved character as the "Pigeon Lady" who befriends Kevin McCallister in the 1992 sequel "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York."

Throughout a career spanning six decades, Fricker appeared in nearly 100 films and television shows, including notable roles in the BBC's "Casualty," "So I Married an Axe Murderer," and "A Time to Kill." Tributes have poured in from Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris, and her agent, who praised her unique talent and impact on the world of film and television. Earlier this year, she was also awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin.