Who can forget the Pigeon Lady who stole hearts in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, with her gentle demeanor and wise words? Though at first she ignited fear in the young Kevin McCallister, she went on to become a beloved character in the film—and one who saved him from an unfortunate fate at the hands of “The Wet Bandits.” Her story was all too heartbreaking—She wanted children, but the man she was with fell out of love with her, and before long, she found herself unable to trust again, leading to the lonely life she had grown accustomed to. After an uplifting exchange with the young Kevin, the two parted ways, only for him to return and gift her with a morning dove as a symbol of their everlasting friendship.
Though most know her for this role alone, Brenda Fricker, who brought the part to life, is far more than just the Home Alone Pigeon Lady. The 79-year-old actress has made history throughout her career—from stage to television to film—and in 1990, she even became the first Irish actress to take home an Oscar. Here, read all about Brenda Fricker and her inspiring career.
Brenda Fricker, 1990Bettmann/Getty Images
Brenda Fricker’s early career
Aside from the work she had done on the stage, in the early days of Fricker’s career, she could be seen in series such as the popular English soap Coronation Street and Casualty, but in 1989 came her most pivotal role in My Left Foot. The film starred a young Daniel Day-Lewis as a boy with cerebral palsy, only able to control the motion of his left foot, who ultimately ends up exceeding the expectations of those around him, becoming an accomplished artist and writer.
Fricker won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress when she played the part of his mother. Ever so humble, The Times recently revealed that Fricker uses the award to prop open her bathroom door. “And there it’ll stay, forever. It’s even too much on show there, actually. But I do know people who put them on shelves, shining them every day,” she shared. “And good luck to them.”
Brenda Fricker, 2012Phillip Massey/WireImage/Getty Images
Brenda Fricker in ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’
After her Oscar put her on the map, Fricker was cast in the follow-up to the Christmas classic, an experience she has cherished. She told The Hard Shoulder in 2022 that Home Alone 2 was the biggest budget film she had ever worked on, and shared details of what it was like bringing it to life.
“All of my stuff was filmed in Central Park, and I was staying in the Plaza Hotel, the trailer—which I could have lived in for a month—were parked all along the footpath outside the hotel.” She continued, “It was luxury for me, I got paid a ton of money to do it and had a wonderful time on it because nothing was rushed.”
In recent years, Fricker has continued working, her most recent credits including The Miracle Club (2023), The Catch, Holding and countless others. Next time you tune into Home Alone 2, give credit where credit is due—Brenda Fricker is far more than a one-hit wonder.
