Brenda Fricker, the first Irish actress to win an Oscar, died Thursday evening at the age of 81, her agent confirmed Friday. The Dublin-born actress died following a prolonged illness.
Her agent Phil Belfield expressed sadness over the passing of the sensational actress, saying: “the world seems smaller without her.” Belfield said he was honored to have known her and worked with her.
Fricker won an Oscar in 1990 for his role in a low-budget film called My Left Foot. She played Christy Brown’s mother.
One of his jokes during the acceptance speech left an impression on the audience. Holding the trophy, she joked: “A woman who has given birth 22 times deserves one.” »
Fricker did not begin her career as an actress but as a journalist. She got her first screen role in 1964 in Ireland’s first ever soap opera, Tolka Row. She also spent four years The BBC Victim playing nurse Megan Roach.
The moment of glory came after she won the Oscar. She later played some of the memorable roles in Home Alone 2 So I Married an Ax Murderer, Angels in the Outfield and A Time to Kill.
Aside from the screen, his personal life was a complete disaster. She revealed she was abused as a child, then married a drug addict husband, suffered six miscarriages and attempted suicide more than 30 times.
In an interview in 2025, she described her situation: “I am dying, every day in pain. »
