Brenda Fricker, the Irish actress who played the iconic Pigeon Lady in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, has left fans stunned as she looks unrecognisable 32 years after the Christmas classic was released. In 1992, Brenda was 47 when she landed the memorable role in the hit sequel.
Now, at 79, Brenda’s character remains beloved for her poignant bond with young Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, as a homeless woman living with her pigeons in Central Park. The film follows Kevin’s chaotic adventures after being accidentally left behind by his parents, played by Catherine O’Hara and John Heard, during a family vacation.
(Image: The Tommy Tiernan Show/RTÉ One)
Despite her fame from the holiday favourite, Brenda revealed to comedian Tommy Tiernan on his show, The Tommy Tiernan Show, that she has chosen a life of quiet obscurity: “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.”
Brenda, who was also part of the original cast of TV’s Casualty, got real with comedian Tommy Tiernan about her battles with mental health, revealing she’s on the path to stronger medication: “Just yesterday, I visited the doctor who said, ‘We’re going to put you on stronger antidepressants,'” reports the Daily Star.
(Image: 20th Century Fox)
Despite her struggles, Brenda opened up about how staying reclusive is her choice; being confined against her will during lockdowns only increased her itch for freedom: “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,” she shared openly.
Delving deeper into her mental health journey, Brenda highlighted the vital role St Patrick’s Hospital in Dublin played, expressing immense gratitude especially towards Dr Anthony Clare: “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,” she said.
The actress later lightened the mood with a chuckle-worthy anecdote about Al Pacino’s Oscar-night jitters backstage. Back in 1989, Brenda made history as the first Irish actress to bag an Academy Award for her performance in My Left Foot, clinching the award for Best Supporting Actress.
She also gave an insight into her life after her Oscar triumph, revealing that Kevin Kline had rightly warned her she’d “never have a private moment” again. Furthermore, she amusingly confessed to using her Oscar statuette to prop open her bathroom door.
View news Source: https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/home-alones-pigeon-lady-unrecognisable-34372366
