First Irish actress to win the Oscar for best supporting actress
Originally planning to become a journalist like her parents, she was cast by chance in her first film, "Of Human Bondage" at the age of 19 while working for a local newspaper
Quote: "Of all the films I've made only three do I remember where I felt I'd moved forward as an actress: Cloudburst, My Left Foot and The Field․"
Gained widespread prominence throughout the U․K․ after playing the role of Megan Roach on BBC One's "Casualty" until 1990
After winning the Oscar for "My Left Foot" in 1989, she would make her Hollywood debut with "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York"
Suffered from a severe case of tuberculosis as a child and was forced to give up a kidney before overcoming the disease
Awards
1989LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress:winner
1989Special Mention of the Jury-:winner
1989NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress:nominated
1990Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role:winner
1990BSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress:winner
1990Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture:nominated
1990NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress:nominated
1996Genie-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:nominated