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Actress Joanna Bacon, best known for roles in the film Love Actually, died last month at the age of 72 following a "short and brave battle against cancer," the Harlow Theatre Company in the United Kingdom announced.
"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 theatre company wrote. "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."
Bacon "became a member of Hawlor Theatre Company at its inception in 1978" and played various roles at the playhouse, which she continued to support up until her death.
"Jo will be sadly missed and fondly remembered," the theatre company added. "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."
Bacon played the mother of Martine McCutheon's character Natalie, the love interest and junior staff member to Hugh Grant's prime minister character in Love Actually, appearing in the scene in which he shows up at her door in an effort to win her back and is greeted by her family. The English actress was also credited for several other television credits in her home country including EastEnders, Casualty, Prime Suspect, The Bill and Little Britain, as well as more recent roles in the 2016 film A Quiet Passion and the television series Breeders.