Joanna “Jo” Bacon, the British actor who portrayed the mother of Martine McCutcheon’s Natalie in the 2003 film Love, Actually, died June 14 of cancer. She was 72.
Her death was announced by the UK’s Harlow Theatre Company. Bacon’s funeral was held July 15.
“It is with much sadness that we inform our HTC members past and present of the passing of Jo Bacon on June 14th following a short and brave battle against cancer,” the theater company said in a statement. “Many of our members will remember Jo and her force of nature, her wit, her fun, her passion and her natural ability as an actor. She became a member of Harlow Theatre Company at its inception in 1978. She appeared in many plays in iconic roles such as Portia in The Merchant of Venice, Maddie in Dirty Linen and Beverly in Abigail’s Party along with reviews, musicals and pantomimes all at the Harlow Playhouse.”
Bacon had a lengthy list of UK television credits, including EastEnders, Casualty, Prime Suspect, The Bill, Pie in the Sky, Little Britain, A Touch of Frost and New Tricks, but she’s probably best known for her role in Love, Actually.
In that film, Bacon appeared in a memorable scene in which Hugh Grant’s Prime Minister character knocks on her door when he comes calling on the character Natalie, daughter of Bacon’s character.
According to the Harlow Theatre Company, Bacon’s many UK stage credits include Nell Dunn’s Steaming at The Dukes Theatre in Lancaster and roles at Hampstead Theatre, The Sheffield Crucible, Stratford East and the National Theatre.
“She popped up on our televisions many times in various drama series,” the theater company said in the statement. “Her most notable role lately was as Jackie in four series of Breeders and as Phylis in Moonflower Murders with Lesley Manville. Her next job was to be a character in Sharon Morgan’s next series Mandy.”
“Jo will be sadly missed and fondly remembered,” the statement continued. “She continued to support HTC attending many of our productions. She would settle herself in the front row with a notebook and watched with a critical eye and her passion for theatre. She never forgot to praise our work. Thank you, Jo. RIP Darling!”
