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․"
After winning the Oscar for "My Left Foot" in 1989, she would make her Hollywood debut with "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York"
Gained widespread prominence throughout the U․K․ after playing the role of Megan Roach on BBC One's "Casualty" until 1990
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