Emma Chambers has sadly passed away at the age of 53, as confirmed by the BBC and The Hollywood Reporter. The actress was born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England as Emma Gwynedd Mary Chambers. She was best known in the U.K. for the role of Alice Tinker in the BBC’s The Vicar of Dibley, who she performed as for a total of thirteen years. American audiences probably knew her best as the quirky family member of Hugh Grant‘s character in Notting Hill.

“Emma Chambers was a hilarious and very warm person and of course a brilliant actress. Very sad news,” Grant tweeted after hearing of her death.

Emma Chambers was a hilarious and very warm person and of course a brilliant actress. Very sad news.

— Hugh Grant (@HackedOffHugh) February 24, 2018

In a statement to the BBC, her agent, John Grant, said, “Emma created a wealth of characters and an immense body of work. She brought laughter and joy to many.”

“Our beautiful friend Emma Chambers has died at the age of 53,” broadcaster Emma Freud tweeted. “We’re very very sad. She was a great, great comedy performer, and a truly fine actress. And a tender, sweet, funny, unusual, loving human being.”

Our beautiful friend Emma Chambers has died at the age of 53. We’re very very sad. She was a great, great comedy performer, and a truly fine actress. And a tender, sweet, funny, unusual, loving human being. pic.twitter.com/vLQcRcv2Ex

— emma freud