Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker dies at 81

Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker has died at the age of 81. The Irish performer, best known for her Academy Award-winning role in the 1989 film My Left Foot, passed away peacefully, according to her family. Fricker also had memorable parts in the holiday classic Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and the long-running British medical drama Casualty. Her death marks the loss of a beloved figure in film and television, particularly in Ireland where she was a celebrated talent. Fricker won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Christy Brown's mother in My Left Foot, a performance that brought her international acclaim. She was one of the few Irish actresses to win an Academy Award, and her career spanned decades, with roles in both film and television. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. Her family has requested privacy as they mourn. Fans and colleagues are expected to pay tribute to her legacy in the coming days.