Brenda Fricker, Oscar-Winning Irish Icon, Passes at 81 | Global News

Oscar-winning Irish actress Brenda Fricker, beloved for her role in “My Left Foot” and iconic as the “pigeon lady” in “Home Alone 2,” has died at 81 in Dublin after a battle with health issues. A trailblazer who became the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award in 1990, she starred alongside Daniel Day-Lewis and built a decades-long career across film, TV, and stage. Her powerful memoir, “She Died Young,” exposed her harrowing past, including trauma and institutionalization, and became a bestseller. Tributes poured in from across the globe — her agent called her an honor, while Ireland’s deputy prime minister hailed her as a national treasure and global ambassador of Irish talent. The world has lost a luminous, unforgettable voice. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/c01fa5eeef1aa6b7