John Grant, Chambers’ agent announced her death from ‘natural causes’ on Sunday. She was just 53.
“Over the years, Emma, created a wealth of characters and an immense body of work. She brought laughter and joy to many, and will be greatly missed,” he said.
Chambers’ role in The Vicar of Dibley won her several accolades and wide esteem as a comedic actor. The naivety of Alice and her quirky rapport with vicar, Geraldine Granger (played by Dawn French) cemented the show as a classic.
Each episode would end with the two drinking tea and Geraldine telling Alice a joke that she would either interpret literally or misunderstand.
The formula was golden.
French led tributes yesterday, with a photo of the two on set– Alice lying on top of Geraldine. “I was regularly humped like this by the unique and beautiful spark that was Emma Chambers.” She wrote. “I never minded. I loved her. A lot.”
I was regularly humped like this by the unique & beautiful spark that was Emma Chambers. I never minded. I loved her. A lot . pic.twitter.com/imzkoyKja9
— Dawn French (@Dawn_French) February 24, 2018
Chambers was likewise well-known for her role as the wildly kooky Honey– sister of Hugh Grant’s character, Will Thacker–in 1999 romcom, Notting Hill.
Grant paid tribute to Chambers yesterday, calling her a ‘brilliant actress’.
Emma Chambers was a hilarious and very warm person and of course a brilliant actress. Very sad news.
— Hugh Grant (@HackedOffHugh) February 24, 2018
English broadcaster, Emma Freud, a friend of Chambers and also the wife of Richard Curtis, screenwriter for both The Vicar of Dibley and Notting Hill, acknowledged the late actor as a “great, great comedy performer” and “a tender, sweet, funny, unusual, loving human being.”
How could you not love this girl. Emma Chambers… thank you for the brilliance. https://t.co/RV7DextEzk
— emma freud 🔴 (@emmafreud) February 24, 2018
Tributes continue to roll in, with people remembering a brilliant actor and loving friend, taken too early.
RIP the wonderful and talented Emma Chambers. Unique,& unspeakably funny. Too young. Thoughts with her family. X
— James Dreyfus (@DreyfusJames) February 24, 2018
I’m utterly deverststed to hear of the passing of Emma Chambers.. She once left me a giggling voicemail where she was hilarious, kind and made me smile for a week! One of my all time favourite actors whose works will continue to make us laugh for so many years to come! Xx
— Ollie Locke (@ollielocke) February 24, 2018
Just heard the terrible news about lovely Emma Chambers. We had many laughs together and as it says in the song, I always thought I’d see her again. She created one of the best TV characters ever and I was proud to have worked with her. Xxxx
— James Fleet (@James_Fleet) February 24, 2018
One tweet aptly surmised that “heaven just got a whole lot funnier.” We agree. Vale Emma and thank you for a lifetime of belly laughs.