June Freud, the British actress and theater producer renowned for her role as C.S. Lewis’ housekeeper, has died at the age of 98. Her daughter, Emma Curtis, announced her passing on Monday, revealing that Freud spent her final evening surrounded by family, sharing love and laughter before her peaceful departure.
Freud, born June Beatrice Flewett on April 22, 1927, was evacuated from London during World War II and moved in with C.S. Lewis and his companion, Jane Moore, at their Oxford home when she was just 16 years old. Freud’s experiences during this formative time inspired Lewis to create the character of Lucy Pevensie in his beloved series, the Chronicles of Narnia.
In a 2014 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Freud recounted her memories of Lewis. “At home, he was generosity itself,” she reflected. “He would let me buy any book I wanted. He was kind, generous, good-humored, and helpful.” Freud’s admiration for Lewis was evident, as she described her feelings during that time as akin to a “schoolgirl crush.”
Freud’s connection to the fantasy realm was solidified in 1950 with the publication of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” where Lucy is the first among the Pevensie siblings to discover the magical land of Narnia. Lewis once expressed his gratitude in a letter to Freud’s mother, Winifred, stating, “I have never really met anything like her unselfishness and patience and kindness.”
After three years with Lewis, Freud pursued her passion for acting, studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, with financial support from the author. Adopting the stage name Jill Raymond, she featured in various West End productions, films such as “The Woman in the Hall” (1947), and television shows like “Torchy, the Battery Boy.” Her final film appearance was in 2003 in “Love Actually,” directed by her son-in-law, Richard Curtis.
Freud’s impact extended beyond her acting career; she ran two repertory theater companies in Suffolk for three decades, employing hundreds of actors. Her daughter praised her mother’s passion for theater and her dedication to the rights of performers. “She loved her actors,” Curtis noted, highlighting Freud’s warmth and commitment to the arts.
In 1950, Freud married Clement Freud, the grandson of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Clement Freud had a distinguished career as an actor, writer, and politician, serving as the Member of Parliament for the Isle of Ely from 1973 until 1987. He was knighted shortly before his death in 2009 at the age of 84.
Freud learned of her influence on the character of Lucy Pevensie only in 2004, expressing delight at the revelation. “I was absolutely thrilled. It’s like being told you were the real Lady Macbeth!” she remarked in an interview, reflecting on the joy of discovering her lasting legacy.
Freud is survived by her five children, including entrepreneur Matthew Freud, along with 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Her remarkable life and contributions to the world of theater and literature will be remembered by many, marking the end of an era for those inspired by her story and the magic of Narnia.
