Star of 'Home Alone 2' dies

Tengrinews.kz — Irish actress Brenda Fricker has died at the age of 81. She was widely known to audiences for her role as the pigeon lady in the Christmas comedy Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, citing The Irish Times.
The actress’s death was announced by her longtime agent Phil Belfield.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce Brenda’s peaceful passing this morning, July 17, 2026, after a short illness. She passed away surrounded by her loved ones,” an official statement on behalf of her family and friends said.

Fricker made history in world cinema in 1990 when she won an Oscar for her brilliant performance as Mrs. Brown, the devoted mother of paralyzed artist and writer Christy Brown, in Jim Sheridan’s acclaimed drama My Left Foot. She became the first Irish woman in history to win the Academy Award statuette.

“Brenda was a titan of the Irish acting tradition, a woman of incredible intelligence, charisma and rare talent. We will never see anyone like her again, and the world is poorer without her presence. It was an immense honor for me to know her, love her and work with her for so many years,” Phil Belfield added.

It is also reported that over her 60-year career, Brenda Fricker worked in theater, film and television in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Hollywood, earning a reputation as one of the most respected and iconic actresses of her generation.