Beloved actress Jill Freud has died at the age of 98, her daughter, broadcaster Emma Freud has announced.
Freud, whose last role was Pat the housekeeper at Downing Street in Love Actually, died surrounded by her family, Emma confirmed in a touching announcement posted on social media this morning.
‘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”,’ she wrote.
Reflecting on her mother’s remarkable life, Emma continued: ‘As a child she was evacuated to Oxford and ended up living with CS Lewis for three years… he based the character of Lucy in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe on her.
‘She became an actress/producer and ran two rep theatre companies in Suffolk for 30 years – employing 100’s of actors who loved her for her passion, her care, her shepherd’s pie, her devotion to regional theatre and her commitment to actor’s rights.
‘Her last film role was as the housekeeper at Downing Street in Love Actually.
‘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 3 other Freud gals, she took part in a tap class every morning.
‘She was 98, mother of 5, grandmother of 17, great grandmother of 7 – she was feisty, outrageous, kind, loving and mischievous. Lucky old heaven getting such a dazzling newcomer. ❤️ Jill Freud.’
Emma – who is married to Love Actually creator Richard Curtis – was flooded with messages from friends on her announcement post.
Dawn French said: ‘Love wrapped around you all.’
Comedian Aisling Bea said simply, ‘Beautiful Jill,’ while Clare Balding wrote:’What a woman and what a way to leave the stage. She was so special. Sending lots of love.’
Podcaster Elizabeth Day said: ‘What an amazing person. I’m so sorry. Sending love to you all.’
David Baddiel wrote, ‘May her memory be a blessing x’ as Suranne Jones said: ‘Sending you all love.’
Born on April 22 1927, Freud was evacuated to Oxford at the age of 16 with her sister, and was placed with CS Lewis and his companion Jane Moore.
The Narnia creator became fond of Freud, and based the character of Lucy Pevensie on her in the best-selling novel series, first published in 1950.
Freud told the Hollywood Reporter in 2014: ‘It’s years since I read it, but in the stage version I saw a few years ago, Lucy was very likable — it was quite flattering.’
The young budding actor left the Lewis household after two years to pursue her West End dreams, training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), before making it onto the stage under the name Jill Raymond.
She married Clement Freud, the grandson of Sigmund Freud, in 1950. He died in 2009 days after his 85th birthday.
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