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

Brenda Fricker is famous for playing the homeless woman in 1992’s Home Alone 2: Lost In New York.

But despite starring in the fans’ favorite Christmas film, the Irish actress, 79, has admitted she ended up penniless 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 attempted suicide 32 times during her battle with depression.

Brenda has also been open about her financial problems, as she explained: ‘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.”

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

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 when you’re alone so much, you can talk to the wall a little more than most people.”

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.’

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

After revealing that she had attempted suicide 32 times, she added: “You get so damn tired that no one listens to you.”

Brenda’s role in Home Alone 2 saw her star 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.

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

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

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.’

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.

“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.”