Home Alone 2: Lost In New York star Brenda Fricker looks almost unrecognizable 32 years after the film’s release.
The 1992 Christmas film stars the Irish actress, 79, as a homeless woman who comes to the aid of Macaulay Culkin’s character Kevin after he is cornered by the Wet Bandits in Central Park.
Brenda was 47 when the film was made and won countless fans thanks to her heartwarming friendship with Kevin, who was once again abandoned by his parents and left to fend for himself in the Big Apple.
Her iconic character has been compared to Piers Morgan over the years, with fans convinced the broadcaster played the bird lover in the film.
Brenda previously appeared on The Tommy Tiernan Show, hosted by Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan, where she opened up about her career and life away from the spotlight.
In addition to Home Alone 2, Brenda has had an illustrious acting career, even winning a Best Supporting Actress award for her role in 1989’s My Left Foot.
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York star Brenda Fricker looks almost unrecognizable 32 years after the film’s release (pictured in the 1992 film)
Brenda looked drastically different when she appeared on The Tommy Tiernan Show, where she opened up about her career and life away from the spotlight
Her iconic character has been compared to Piers Morgan over the years, with fans convinced the broadcaster played the bird lover in the film
Her other credits include Cars, Quatermass, Angels and Seekers, in addition to the British shows Casualty and Coronation Street and a number of stage productions.
About her life she said: ‘I live a very quiet life, far under the radar, and I drive a small car, have a house, that’s about it. Talk to the wall a lot, talk to the dog, write poetry, read books, watch television.
“Nothing different from anyone else, except that being alone so much makes you talk to the wall a little more than most people,” reports The mirror.
During the interview, Brenda opened up about her hiatus from acting and her struggles with her mental health.
She continued: ‘Yesterday I went to the doctor who said, ‘We’re going to prescribe you stronger antidepressants.’ I’m a bit of a hermit. Choosing to stay inside is one thing, but saying so makes me want to go outside.”
The actress went on to talk about her time spent in St Patrick’s Hospital in Dublin, where she credited a doctor with ‘saving her life’.
Brenda said: “It was tough, but there was a fantastic doctor, Anthony Clare. He saved my life. With me he was exceptional. He really brought me out of my depth. Just an incredible spirit. He understood me and reached me. I always left happy when I saw him. He made me feel good.’
This isn’t the first time Brenda has given fans a glimpse into the struggles she faces in life.
About her life she said: ‘I live a very quiet life, far under the radar and I drive a small car, have a house, that’s about it. Talking to the wall a lot, talking to the dog, writing poetry, reading books, watching television’
In addition to Home Alone 2, Brenda has had an illustrious acting career, even winning a Best Supporting Actress award for her role in 1989’s My Left Foot (pictured with Daniel Day-Lewis)
Brenda seen with Best Actor winner Daniel Day-Lewis at the 1989 Academy Awards
In 2012, Brenda admitted a dark side to her long-running career and shocked fans by admitting she was completely broke.
The actress told how lonely and depressed she was and that she had attempted suicide no fewer than 32 times.
In an interview with Anna Friel, broadcast on Sky Arts, the acclaimed actress opens up about her financial problems: ‘I lived off my savings while it lasted, but now I’m completely broke. But as long as I have a roof over my head and I feed the dog and I feed myself, I’m perfectly happy.”
Brenda was clearly completely at ease with Anna, who she starred with in the 2003 film Watermelon, and opened up about her difficult life.
Revealing her ongoing battle with depression, she continued, “I suffered from depression for fifty years. But now I go to the therapist once a week, purely to have a conversation and hear another human voice.”
Earlier that year, she said she had attempted suicide 32 times. “You get so damn tired of no one listening to you,” she said
It comes as Piers Morgan was once again forced to deny playing Brenda’s role as Pigeon Lady in Home Alone 2.
Over the years, the TV presenter, 58, has responded to social media users who are convinced he played a role in the much-loved Christmas film.
And this year was no different as Piers spotted an X-post of someone enjoying the much-loved festive film.
The user shared a photo of the Pigeon Lady, played by Irish actress Brenda Fricker, and wrote: ‘Not sure how many acting credits he has but this is @piersmorgan’s best work.’
Her other credits include Cars, Quatermass, Angels and Seekers (pictured), in addition to the British shows Casualty and Coronation Street and a number of stage productions.
During the interview, Brenda opened up about her break from acting and her battle with her mental health (pictured in Casualty)
In 2012, Brenda admitted a dark side to her long-running career and shocked fans by admitting she was completely broke.
Piers responded to the post by writing: ‘Yes. Not. Me.’
Several users jokingly responded to his post, writing, “How could I not know this? You were great in Home Alone 2.”
‘Sure, that’s what they all say’… ‘You don’t have to hide it, it’s your best work.’
“Just say ‘thanks for supporting my work’ and move on”… “Just take credit and say it’s you, easier.”
‘It’s that time of year again, Piers. I hope you get a big residual check this year.”
Piers spoke about the comparisons on Good Morning Britain in 2020.
His former co-host Susanna Reid, 53, said to much laughter: ‘Can we just watch Home Alone 2 because honestly it’s the best movie.
It comes as Piers Morgan was once again forced to deny playing Brenda’s role as Pigeon Lady in Home Alone 2
Piers saw an X-post from someone who joked that Home Alone was Piers’ best work, to which he replied: ‘Yes. Not. Me.’
Piers’ former Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid previously offered a 2018 photo of Piers covered in pigeons to ‘prove’ he was in the film
“Because a lot of people are watching Home Alone 2 and wondering if this is you.”
Piers hit back: ‘Why does this keep coming back? I’m not. I’m not the bag lady in Home Alone 2.’
She claimed to have evidence that Piers was telling porkies and showed a photo of him taken in 2018 showing him covered in pigeons.
Several users jokingly responded to his post, writing, “How could I not know this? You were great in Home Alone 2.”