Oscar-Winning Irish Actress Brenda Fricker Passes Away at 81

Brenda Fricker, the acclaimed Irish actress known for her role in the Oscar-winning film "My Left Foot," has died at the age of 81. Her agent, Phil Belfield, confirmed her passing on Friday, stating that she died Thursday night in Dublin after a period of ill health.

Fricker gained international fame for her performance as Christy Brown's mother in "My Left Foot," which earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1989. She was also recognized for her role as the Pigeon Lady in "Home Alone 2" and appeared in several notable films throughout the 1990s, including "A Time to Kill" and "So I Married an Axe Murderer." Ireland's deputy prime minister, Simon Harris, praised her contributions to Irish culture, calling her one of the country's greatest exports.