Brenda Fricker, an Academy Award-winning Irish actress best known for her roles in "My Left Foot" and "Home Alone 2," has died at the age of 81.
Fricker died peacefully on Thursday in her hometown of Dublin after a "period of ill health," her agent, Phil Belfield, told NTD via email Friday.
"Dublin born and bred, Brenda Fricker undoubtedly deserves the noun legend," Belfield said. "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."
Born on Feb. 17, 1945, Fricker's acting career spanned six decades, both on the screen and stage. She made her television debut in the 1960s with a role on the Irish drama "Tolka Row," going on to appear in more than a dozen other shows and telefilms, including "Armchair Theatre," "Coronation Street," and "Crown Court."
Her early time on the stage included notable performances at the National Theatre and Royal Court in London, including productions of "Lavender Blue" (1977) and "Lost Worlds" (1978).
Fricker landed her breakthrough role in the 1989 biographical drama "My Left Foot." Her powerful portrayal of Bridget Brown, the mother of acclaimed painter Christy Brown, earned her the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress the following year.
She is also known for appearing in "The Field" (1990), "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (1992), "So I Married an Axe Murderer" (1993), "Angels in the Outfield" (1994), "A Time to Kill" (1996), "Veronica Guerin" (2003), "Cloudburst" (2011), and "The Swallow" (2024).
Fricker's 2025 memoir, "She Died Young: A Life in Fragments," was featured on the Irish Sunday Times bestseller list. In February, the Dublin City Council approved the conferral of the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin on Fricker, an honor Belfield said she was "particularly thrilled and proud of."
The actress was remembered online in the wake of her death, underscoring her lasting impact on audiences and the world of film and television at large.
"From Dublin to Hollywood, her work brought Ireland’s stories to the world and inspired generations on both sides of the Atlantic," Walsh added. "She leaves a remarkable legacy, and I extend my deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all who loved her."