Fricker found international acclaim after she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1990 for her performance as Christy Brown's mother in "My Left Foot" (1989). In her acceptance speech, Brenda thanked Christy Brown "just for being alive" and also dedicated the Oscar to Mrs. Brown, saying "anybody who gives birth twenty-two times deserves one of these". For her performance, Brenda was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award and she won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress as well. She rejoined "My Left Foot" writer/director Jim Sheridan to make the 1990 film "The Field", starring alongside Richard Harris as Maggie McCabe (wife of Harris' "Bull" McCabe). She continued her television work during this period, starring in the Australian-produced short series "Brides of Christ" (1991). She then co-starred in the 1992 TV miniseries "Seekers" alongside Josette Simon, produced by Sarah Lawson.