Irish Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker dies aged 81

Irish actress Brenda Fricker, who won an Oscar in 1990 for her supporting role in "My Left Foot", has died at the age of 81, her agent announced on Friday. Agent Phil Belfield said Fricker died peacefully on Thursday in Dublin, after a period of ill health.

Fricker was known internationally for playing Daniel Day-Lewis's on-screen mother in "My Left Foot". She won the Academy Award for best supporting actress for the role, becoming the first Irish actress to win an Oscar. She was also known for playing the Central Park "pigeon lady" in "Home Alone 2".

Belfield said Fricker's career covered early stage work at London's National Theatre and Royal Court, as well as later British television and Hollywood film roles. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin paid tribute to her, calling her an iconic figure in Irish film and theatre, an Oscar winner and an actor of world renown. Martin said his thoughts were with her family and friends.