radio nova logo
radio nova logo

Oscar Winning Irish Actress Brenda Fricker Dies Aged 81

By Dalton Mac Namee
17/07/2026
Est. Reading: 2 minutes

Loading

Loading

Brenda Fricker, who became the first Irish actress to win an Oscar for her performance in My Left Foot, has died aged 81, her agent has confirmed.

In a statement, her agent Phil Belfield paid tribute to Fricker: "We will never see her like again and the world is lesser for the lack of her". 

He added: "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". 


Brenda Fricker whose career spanned more than 60 years, will be remembered as one of the most celebrated actors to come from Ireland.

In 1990, Fricker made history when she became the first Irish actress to win an Oscar, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Christy Brown's mother in My Left Foot, starring alongside Daniel Day-Lewis.

Her acceptance speech, where she dedicated the award to "all the people of Ireland", is one of the defining moments in the history of Irish film. See below.

Other Fricker credits include The Field, as well as the kind Pigeon Lady in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York alongside Macauley Culkin, A Time To Kill and Veronica Guerin. 

Earlier this year, it had been announced that Brenda Fricker would receive the Freedom of Dublin City, which was proposed by Dublin Lord Mayor, Ray McAdam, and backed by he council's protocol committee.

"Brenda Fricker is one of Dublin’s most distinguished cultural figures, and it is a source of immense pride that our city is recognising her in this way", Mr McAdam said in a statement. "This honour is not simply about international acclaim. It is about contribution and the pride Brenda has brought to Dublin and to Ireland". 

Back in January, Catherine O'Hara, who also starred in Home Alone, passed away aged 71. O'Hara played the role of Kevin McCallister's mother, Kate in the two movies alongside Macauley Culkin. More on this here.

That same month, Culkin paid a moving tribute to O'Hara on social media. 

He said: "Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you but I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later". 

Written by Dalton Mac Namee

Dalton Mac Namee is a content writer for Nova.ie and a freelance GAA reporter from Louth, Ireland.

Share it with the world...

Tune in to our newsletter and never miss a beat!

Similar News

Copyright © 2026 All Rights Reserved Proudly Designed by Wikid
Advertisment
crosschevron-down