Brenda Fricker, the Oscar-winning Irish actress, has died at age 81, her agent confirmed Friday.
Fricker was the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award, which she scooped in 1990 for best supporting actress for her role in “My Left Foot.” In the biopic, directed by Jim Sheridan, she played Mrs Brown, the mother of the movie’s central character, Christy Brown, a man with cerebral palsy. Daniel Day-Lewis, who played Brown, also earned an Oscar for his portrayal.
The actress’ death on Thursday was announced by her agent, Phil Belfield. In a statement sent to CNN, he said: “It is with much sadness that I share the news that beloved actress Brenda Fricker passed away peacefully last night in Dublin, after a period of ill health, at the age of 81.”
Describing her as a “legend,” Belfield added: “We will never see her like again and the world is lesser for the lack of her. I was honored 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’s acting career included more than 30 roles in movies and TV, including her famous outing as the homeless “pigeon lady” who befriended Macauley Culkin in “Home Alone 2.”
