The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Jill Freud, the cherished actress whose final role was as the Downing Street housekeeper in the beloved film Love Actually. She was 98 years old.
Her daughter, the broadcaster Emma Freud, shared the poignant news on social media on the morning of November 24, 2025. She confirmed that her mother died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.
A Final Bow Filled with Love and Laughter
In a heartfelt tribute, Emma Freud recounted her mother's final hours. "My beautiful 98 year old mum has taken her final bow," she wrote. "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."
She added that her mother's parting words were a tender "I love you." The announcement paints a picture of a woman who was feisty, loving, and utterly unique until the very end.
A Life of Stage, Screen, and Literary Inspiration
Emma's reflection unveiled the extraordinary chapters of her mother's life. As a child during the war, Jill Freud was evacuated to Oxford, where her life took a magical turn. She ended up living with author C.S. Lewis for three years.
This period had a profound literary impact. Emma revealed, "he based the character of Lucy in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe on her." This makes Jill the real-life inspiration for one of literature's most beloved heroines.
Jill's own career in the arts was long and distinguished. She was an actress and producer who ran two repertory theatre companies in Suffolk for 30 years. Through this work, she employed hundreds of actors, earning their love and respect for her passion, her care, and even her shepherd's pie.
She was a devoted champion of regional theatre and a fierce advocate for actors' rights. Her last film role, as mentioned, was in Richard Curtis's Love Actually, bringing her warmth to a global audience.
Remembering a Feisty and Fabulous Spirit
Beyond her professional achievements, Jill Freud was remembered for her vibrant personality and quirks. She had the same lunch every day: a glass of red wine and a packet of crisps.
Even in her nineties, her spirit was undimmed. During the Covid lockdown, at the age of 93, she was locked down with three other women from the Freud family and participated in a tap class every morning.
She was a matriarch in the truest sense, leaving behind a vast family. She was mother to 5, grandmother to 17, and great-grandmother to 7. Emma described her as "feisty, outrageous, kind, loving and mischievous," signing off with, "Lucky old heaven getting such a dazzling newcomer."
The announcement prompted an outpouring of grief and affection from friends and colleagues. Comedian Dawn French wrote, "Love wrapped around you all," while Clare Balding noted, "What a woman and what a way to leave the stage. She was so special."
Messages also poured in from Aisling Bea, David Baddiel, Suranne Jones, and podcaster Elizabeth Day, all paying tribute to an incredible life well-lived.
