British actress Joanna “Jo” Bacon, best known for her memorable role as Natalie’s mother in the 2003 romantic comedy “Love Actually,” died June 14 following a battle with cancer. She was 72.
The Harlow Theatre Company announced Bacon’s death in a statement, noting she passed away following a “short and brave battle against cancer.” Her funeral was held July 15.
Bacon’s most recognizable film role came in “Love Actually,” where she portrayed the mother of Martine McCutcheon’s character Natalie. In the film, Bacon appeared in a memorable scene alongside Hugh Grant, whose Prime Minister character arrives at her door seeking to reconcile with her daughter. The scene became one of the film’s most beloved moments.
Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Bacon began her professional acting career after leaving her job in publishing. She trained at The Actors Institute before venturing into show business. Her first professional role was as Jane in Nell Dunn’s “Steaming” at The Dukes Theatre in Lancaster.
Bacon’s television career spanned decades, with her first screen credits dating back to 1991 in episodes of “Perfect Scoundrels” and “Minders.” She accumulated 49 onscreen roles between 1991 and 2024, appearing in numerous British television series including “EastEnders,” “Casualty,” “Prime Suspect,” “The Bill,” “Pie in the Sky,” “Little Britain,” “A Touch of Frost,” and “New Tricks.”
More recently, Bacon gained recognition for her role as Jackie in the FX series “Breeders,” where she played the mother of Martin Freeman’s character Paul. The show ran for four seasons from 2020 to 2023, with Bacon appearing in 30 episodes. Her performance in the dark comedy earned widespread praise from critics and audiences.
Bacon’s final screen appearance was in the 2024 crime miniseries “Moonflower Murders,” where she appeared alongside Lesley Manville in six episodes. At the time of her death, she was scheduled to appear in Sharon Morgan’s upcoming series “Mandy.”
Beyond her screen work, Bacon maintained a deep connection to theater throughout her career. She became a member of the Harlow Theatre Company at its inception in 1978, appearing in numerous productions including “The Merchant of Venice” as Portia, “Dirty Linen” as Maddie, and “Abigail’s Party” as Beverly. She also performed at prestigious venues including Hampstead Theatre, The Sheffield Crucible, Stratford East, and the National Theatre.
The theatre company described Bacon as a force of nature, praising her wit, passion, and natural acting ability. Even after achieving professional success, she remained a devoted supporter of local theater, regularly attending productions at the Harlow Playhouse and offering encouragement to fellow performers.
Following her cancer diagnosis in January, Bacon reflected on her career and life with characteristic grace. She indicated that she felt fortunate to have had a brilliant life and expressed gratitude for the opportunities she had received and the people she had met. Bacon stated, “I have no regrets.”
Freeman, who worked with Bacon on “Breeders” and also appeared in “Love Actually,” was among the actors who attended her funeral service. The celebrant Jo Moore noted that Bacon’s talent as an actor was a gift she shared with the world, bringing joy, laughter, and inspiration to audiences through her stage and screen performances.
Friends and colleagues remembered Bacon as a woman of many talents and contradictions – described as both a flamboyant extrovert and an introspective loner. Her close friend Patrick Roberts spoke about her love of life, travel, and animals, while another friend, Barry Bowen, praised her unwavering loyalty to friends and her humility despite working alongside renowned actors including Alan Rickman, Helen Mirren, and Colin Firth.
Bacon’s career began in the 1960s and 1970s with amateur dramatic groups in Hatfield Heath and Harlow, Essex. Throughout her rise to professional success, she maintained her support for local theater groups near her home, regularly attending performances by the Heath Players and Harlow Ballet.
An avid animal lover, particularly of dogs, Bacon requested that donations be made to Mutts in Distress, a local charity, in lieu of flowers. Her funeral concluded with the Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women” playing as her coffin left GreenAcres Epping.
Sources:
https://people.com/love-actually-actress-joanna-jo-bacon-dies-at-72-11774292
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/joanna-bacon-dead-love-actually-eastenders-breeders-1236318517/
https://deadline.com/2025/07/joanna-bacon-dead-1236460293/
https://nypost.com/2025/07/17/entertainment/love-actually-and-eastenders-actress-joanna-bacon-dead-at-72/
https://www.thewrap.com/joanna-bacon-love-actually-actress-dies-at-72/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-jo-bacon-dead-love-35563519
