Home Alone 2 Star Brenda Fricker Has Passed Away At 81

Millions of people remember her as the kind stranger who befriended Kevin McCallister in Home Alone 2, but Brenda Fricker built a career that stretched far beyond one unforgettable holiday movie. The acclaimed Irish actress has died at the age of 81 following a period of ill health.

Fricker became the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award after earning Best Supporting Actress for her performance in My Left Foot. Over a career spanning six decades, she appeared in more than 90 film and television productions, including Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, where she played the Pigeon Lady, a role that introduced her to a whole new generation of fans.

Earlier this year, Fricker received the Freedom of the City of Dublin, one of the city's highest honors. Whether people knew her from award winning dramas or a Christmas classic they watch every year, her performances left a lasting impression that will be remembered for a long time.