Brenda Fricker, the Irish actress best known to many audiences as the Pigeon Lady in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York", has died at the age of 81. She passed away on 16 July 2026 following a period of ill health, her agent confirmed, prompting tributes from across the film and television world.

Fricker made history as the first Irish-born actress to win an Academy Award, taking home Best Supporting Actress for playing Daniel Day-Lewis's mother in "My Left Foot". Her extensive career also included roles in "So I Married an Axe Murderer", "Angels in the Outfield" and "A Time to Kill", while later years saw her focus on UK, Irish and Canadian productions such as "Inside I'm Dancing", "Closing the Ring", "Albert Nobbs" and "Cloudburst". Her agent, Phil Belfield, said "we will never see her like again and the world is lesser for the lack of her."