The actress had a long and successful career on TV and in theatre
Jill Freud has died aged 98(Image: EmmaFreud Instagram)
An actress who appeared in Love Actually has died at the age of 98. As well as appearing in the Christmas classic, Lady Jill Freud also inspired the character of Lucy in the Narnia books. The news of her death was announced by her daughter Emma, who is married to screenwriter Richard Curtis.
Emma wrote: “My beautiful 98-year-old mum has taken her final bow. After a loving evening – where we knew she was on her way – surrounded by children, grandchildren and pizza, she told us all to f*** off so she could go to sleep. And then she never woke up. Her final words were ‘I love you’.”
When the actress was just 16, she was evacuated to Oxford to escape the Blitz during WWII and ended up living with author CS Lewis. In her tribute, Emma wrote: “He based the character of Lucy Pevensie in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe on her.”
It was Lewis that paid Jill’s fees when she studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RAD), where her career really took off. Following her graduation, she embarked upon a successful career in the West End under the stage name Jill Raymond.
In 1980, she formed her own theatre company, “Jill Freud and Company”, in Suffolk. In 2001 she received an Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from the University of East Anglia “for services to the theatre”.
In her personal life, she married broadcaster and Liberal MP Clement Freud, the grandson of Sigmund Freud, in 1950, they had five children together. Clement died in 2009, aged 84.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Emma’s tribute to her mum acknowledged her lifestyle, saying: “She had the same lunch every day – a glass of red wine and a packet of crisps, and during covid, aged 93, locked up with three other Freud gals, she took part in a tap class every morning.
“She was 98, mother of five, grandmother of 17, great grandmother of seven – she was feisty, outrageous, kind, loving and mischievous. Lucky old heaven getting such a dazzling newcomer. Jill Freud.” The news was announced on Instagram today, November 24. A series of pictures were shared by Emma, reflecting over the years.
In Love Actually, she played the role of the housekeeper at 10 Downing Street. The 2003 film, directed by Freud’s son-in-law Richard Curtis, became a Christmas classic.
Tributes have flooded in for Jill, with messages of love and support for the family. Giovanna Fletcher said: “Your beautiful mum. I auditioned for her after I left drama school.
“We were at hers and I remember seeing all the pictures on the wall of family members together and thinking that she was surrounded by love. She always was and always will be. Thinking of you and sending you so much love!”
Dawn French commented “Love wrapped around you all” and Gabby Logan shared “What a marvellous life. What a wonderful woman. What a way to go.”