Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker has died at the age of 81, prompting an outpouring of tributes online—but many were directed at television presenter Piers Morgan due to their striking resemblance. News of the Irish star's passing sparked hundreds of posts on social media paying condolences to Morgan, a long-running joke that has persisted for years.
Brenda Fricker's Iconic Roles
Fricker was best known for her role as the Pigeon Lady in the 1992 holiday classic Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, where she befriends a scared Kevin McCallister. She also played Megan Roach on the BBC medical drama Casualty from 1986 to 2010. In 1990, she became the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award, taking home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Daniel Day-Lewis's mother in My Left Foot.
Her death was confirmed by her agent, Phil Belfield, on Friday. Fricker's first on-screen role was a small uncredited part in the 1964 film Of Human Bondage. She later appeared in Ireland's first soap opera, Tolka Row, before joining Coronation Street as a staff nurse.
Social Media Flooded with 'RIP Piers Morgan' Jokes
As news outlets and social media accounts reported her death, replies quickly filled with comments like "RIP Piers Morgan." The phrase trended at one point, prompting one user to ask: "Why's 'RIP Piers Morgan' trending?" One wag posted: "RIP Actress Brenda Fricker, best known for playing the Pigeon Lady in Home Alone 2, and for her role as Piers Morgan has died at the age of 81."
However, not everyone found the jokes appropriate. One fan said Fricker "deserved better" than to have her death overshadowed by the comparison. Another remarked that the Pigeon Lady "was a symbol of kindness, trust and hope," while a third suggested: "Central Park should have a statue in her memory."
Piers Morgan's Long-Running Likeness Joke
Morgan himself has leaned into the lookalike joke over the years. He once shared a photo of himself holding a picture of Fricker during a family Christmas Quiz. In a 2018 segment on Good Morning Britain, two pigeons even sat on his head after his son Spencer brought up the resemblance. Morgan also famously replied angrily to a Twitter user, declaring: "I. Am. Not. The. Pigeon. Lady."
As of the time of writing, Morgan has not publicly responded to Fricker's death.
