Fans of the iconic film Home Alone would be stunned to see one of its stars 32 years on from the movie’s release.
Brenda Fricker, the Irish actress who played the notorious pigeon lady in the beloved Christmas film, was just 47 when she starred in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York in 1992.
Now at 79, Brenda’s character is a homeless woman residing in Central Park with her flock of pigeons. She ends up assisting young Kevin, portrayed by Macaulay Culkin.
The storyline sees Kevin embroiled in various mishaps in the city after his parents, played by Catherine O’Hara and John Heard, unintentionally leave him behind during their holiday for the second time.
Brenda has previously appeared on The Tommy Tiernan Show, hosted by Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan, where she talked about her career and her choice to stay away from the limelight.
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The Tommy Tiernan Show/RTÉ One)
“I live a very quiet life well under the radar and I drive a tiny car, own a cottage, that’s about it. Talking to the wall quite a bit, talking to the dog, writing poetry, reading books, watching television. Nothing different than anybody else does, except being alone so much can make you talk to the wall a bit more than most people,” she said.
Discussing her need for a break from acting, Tiernan asked the Home Alone 2 star about her mental health. “Just yesterday, I visited the doctor who said, ‘We’re going to put you on stronger antidepressants’. I’m somewhat of a recluse. Choosing to stay indoors is one thing, but being told to do so makes me want to go outside,” Fricker confessed.
The actress also candidly discussed her reliance on medication and her time at St Patrick’s Hospital in Dublin, which she described as invaluable to her mental health.
“It was tough, but there was a fantastic doctor, Anthony Clare. He saved my life. He was exceptional with me. He really pulled me out of the depths. Just an incredible mind. He understood me and reached me. I always left feeling happy after seeing him. He made me feel good,” Fricker expressed.
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Andy Schwartz/20th Century Fox/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
The conversation wasn’t all serious, though. There were moments of light-heartedness and humour as Fricker recounted a funny story about Al Pacino’s backstage Oscar nerves.
She also offered an intriguing glimpse into her life post-Oscar win, sharing how Kevin Kline had accurately predicted that she would “never have a private moment” again and revealing that she uses her Oscar to prop open her bathroom door.
In 1989, she became the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award for her role in My Left Foot, in the Best Supporting Actress category.
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