Love Actually actress and real-life inspiration for Lucy in Narnia dies aged 98 as radio star daughter pays tribute
ACTING legend Jill Freud has sadly passed away aged 98.
The Love Actually star died surrounded by loved ones, her family confirmed in a statement.
Sign up for the newsletter
Thank you!
Emma Freud posted an emotional tribute to her mother on Instagram
Actress Jill Freud has died aged 98
Freud was the inspiration behind CS Lewis’ Lucy Pevensie in The Lion, The Witch and The WardrobeCredit: Instagram / emmafreud
In a touching tribute, daughter and broadcaster Emma Freud 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’.
“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.
CHEF GONE
One of UK’s most acclaimed Michelin-awarded chefs dies aged 62
GAME GREAT
Manager who earned spot in Guinness World Records dies aged 90
“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.”
Freud was born on April 22, 1927 and was evacuated to Oxford at the age of 16 with her sister.
She was placed with CS Lewis and his companion, Jane Moore, where the author grew fond of Freud.
He would later base the character of Lucy Pevensie on her in his The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
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.”
After two years living with the Lewis household, Freud left to pursue her acting goals.
She was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), for which Lewis paid for.
Her career was launched on stage in the West End under the name Jill Raymond.
The budding young actress married Clement Freud, the grandson of Sigmund Freud, in 1950.
In 1980, she created her own theatre company called Jill Freud and Company.
She later received an Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from the University of East Anglia “for services to the theatre.”
Freud’s most recent movie credit was for the iconic film Love Actually, in which she played the housekeeper at Downing Street.
testing times
THIRD Strictly star suffers nasty injury that threatens place on the show
‘SHE’S CHANGED’
Lucy Letby’s shock reaction after barrister said ‘I know you’re innocent’
Her daughter Emma, who hailed Freud’s stellar career in her touching tribute, is also married to Richard Curtis who wrote the Christmas movie.
Freud is survived by five children and 17 grandchildren.
The respected theatre director is survived by five children and 17 grandchildrenCredit: Instagram / emmafreud
The budding young actress married Clement Freud, the grandson of Sigmund Freud, in 1950Credit: PA:Press Association
In the 1970s Freud helped her husband campaign when he became a Liberal MP for the Isle of ElyCredit: Alamy
