I starred in one of the nation’s favourite Christmas films and even won an Oscar – but I ended up broke

Brenda Fricker is known for starring as the homeless woman in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York back in 1992. 

However despite starring in the fan favourite Christmas film, the Irish actress, 79, has admitted she ended up cash-strapped and lonely. 

The star, who has had an illustrious acting career and even won a Best Supporting Actress award for her role in 1989’s My Left Foot, previously admitted she had attempted suicide 32 times amid her battle with depression. 

Brenda has also been frank about her financial problems as she explained: ‘I lived off my savings while they lasted, but now I’m completely broke. 

‘But as long as I have a roof over my head and feed the dog and feed myself, I’m perfectly content.’ 

The actress previously appeared on The Tommy Tiernan Show where she opened up about her career and life away from the spotlight.

The star, who has had an illustrious career and even won a Best Supporting Actress award for her role in 1989’s My Left Foot (pictured) previously admitted she was left ‘completely broke’ despite her acting success

Speaking about her life, she said: ‘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.’

During the interview, Brenda opened up about her hiatus from acting and her battle with her mental health.

She continued: ‘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’

The thespian went on to detail her time spent St Patrick’s Hospital in Dublin, where she credited a doctor for ‘saving her life’. 

Brenda shared: ‘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.’

Meanwhile speaking with Anna Friel back in 2012, she admitted: ‘I suffered from depression for 50 years. But now I go to a therapist once a week, purely to have a conversation and to hear another human voice.

After revealing she had attempted suicide 32 times she added: ‘You get so bloody tired of nobody listening to you.’ 

Brenda’s role in Home Alone 2 saw her star as a homeless woman who comes to the rescue of Macaulay Culkin ‘s character Kevin (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

Brenda has also been frank about her financial problems as she explained: ‘I lived off my savings while they lasted, but now I’m completely broke [pictured with Daniel Day-Lewis]

Brenda’s role in Home Alone 2 saw her star as a homeless woman who comes to the rescue of Macaulay Culkin’s character Kevin after he is cornered in Central Park by the Wet Bandits. 

She was 47 when the film was made and won legions of fans thanks to her heartwarming friendship with Kevin – who was once again left behind by his parents and left to fend for himself in the Big Apple. 

Her other credits include Cars, Quatermass, Angels and Seekers, in addition to British shows Casualty and Coronation Street and a number if stage productions.

Her iconic character has over the years compared to Piers Morgan, with fans convinced the broadcaster played the bird lover in the film.  

Over the years, the TV host, 58, has found himself replying to social media users who are convinced he had a role in the beloved Christmas flick.

And this year was no different as Piers spotted an X post from someone who was enjoying the beloved festive film.

The user shared a photo of the Pigeon Lady, who was played by Irish actress Brenda Fricker, and wrote: ‘Not sure how many acting credits he has but this is @piersmorgan’s finest work’. 

After revealing she had attempted suicide 32 times she added: ‘You get so bloody tired of nobody listening to you’ (pictured in 2010 in Casualty) 

Her iconic character has over the years compared to Piers Morgan , with fans convinced the broadcaster played the bird lover in the film 

Piers replied to the post by writing: ‘It’s. Not. Me.’ 

Several users jokingly replied to his post, writing: ‘How did I not know this? You were amazing 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 “thank you for supporting my work” and move on’… ‘Just take the credit and say it’s you, easier.’

‘It’s that time of year again, Piers. Hope you get a big residual check this year.’ 

Piers spoke about the comparisons on Good Morning Britain back in 2020. 

His former co-host Susanna Reid, 53, said to much laughter: ‘Can we just have a look at Home Alone 2 because, frankly, it is the best picture. 

Piers spotted an X post from someone who joked Home Alone was Piers’ finest work to which he replied: ‘It’s. Not. Me.’

Piers’ former Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid previously offered a 2018 snap up of Piers covered in pigeons in order to ‘prove’ he  was in the movie 

‘Because lots of people watch Home Alone 2 and wonder if this is you.’ 

Piers hit back: ‘Why does this keep coming around? That is not me. I am not the bag lady in Home Alone 2.’

Claiming to have proof that Piers was telling porkies, she showed a picture of him taken in 2018 in which he was covered in pigeons.

Several users jokingly replied to his post, writing: ‘How did I not know this? You were amazing in Home Alone 2.’