Brenda Fricker, 'Home Alone 2' Pigeon Lady and Oscar winner, dies at 81

Brenda Fricker, the beloved Irish actress who captivated audiences as the Pigeon Lady in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," has died at the age of 81. Fricker passed away on Thursday night, July 16, 2026, in Dublin following a prolonged illness, according to reports from multiple media outlets.

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We will never see anyone like her again. The world is a poorer place for her passing.

Her agent, Phil Belfield, remembered Fricker as an "irreplaceable figure" in the film world, stating, "We will never see anyone like her again. The world is a poorer place for her passing." He described her as a cherished actress worldwide, adding, "She will always have a place in my heart and in the hearts of film and television fans worldwide."

Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris lauded Fricker as one of Ireland's finest actors, crediting her with helping to introduce the nation's film industry to the international stage. Fricker's career began in 1964, and she gained wider recognition for her role as Nurse Megan Roach in the BBC series "Casualty."

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I feel privileged to have known, loved, and worked with her. She will always have a place in my heart and in the hearts of film and television fans worldwide.

Her career reached its zenith with the 1989 film "My Left Foot." Fricker's portrayal of Bridget Brown, the mother of artist Christy Brown, earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first Irish-born actress to achieve this honor. Despite a prolific career, her role as the compassionate homeless woman befriending Kevin McCallister in Central Park remains her most iconic performance for many.

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She was one of the best actors Ireland had ever produced and a figure who helped introduce its film industry to the international stage.