Brenda Fricker

Brenda Fricker's Academy Award win in 1990 was a historic moment for Irish cinema, as she became the first Irish-born actress to win an Oscar. Her performance in My Left Foot earned her a rare sweep of major critics' awards, including the New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and National Society of Film Critics. In 2008, she was the inaugural recipient of the Maureen O'Hara Award, honouring her contributions to Irish film. The Irish Times ranked her 26th on its 2020 list of the greatest Irish film actors, a testament to her enduring impact.