Phyllida Law, Actress and Mother of Emma and Sophie Thompson, Dies at 94
Phyllida Law, the British actress and mother of Dame Emma Thompson and Sophie Thompson, passed away peacefully at her home on 27 July 2023, at the age of 94, as confirmed by her manager, Jacky Leggo. Born in Glasgow in 1932, Law initially trained as a stage designer before transitioning to acting. She wed actor Eric Thompson in 1957, who passed away in 1982. Over her impressive eight-decade career, she appeared in films such as Emma (1996), Peter's Friends (1992), and Nanny McPhee (2005), and had television roles in Midsomer Murders and Doc Martin. In 2014, she was honored with an OBE. Emma Thompson has won two Oscars, while Sophie has seven Olivier nominations. Emma's daughter Gaia shared on Instagram: "Rest well my queen."
Key facts
- Actress Phyllida Law died peacefully at home on Monday 27 July at age 94.
- Her manager Jacky Leggo announced the death in a statement to BBC News, saying they had worked together for over 50 years.
- Law was born in Glasgow in 1932 and trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
- She married actor Eric Thompson, voice of The Magic Roundabout, in 1957; he died in 1982.
- She appeared in films with her daughters, including the 1996 Emma, Peter's Friends, Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter Guest, and Nanny McPhee.
- Her television roles included Midsomer Murders, Foyle's War, Doc Martin, and New Tricks.
- Law was made OBE in 2014 for services to drama and charity.
- Her daughter Emma Thompson has won two Oscars; Sophie Thompson has been nominated for seven Olivier Awards.
Entities
Artists
- Phyllida Law
- Emma Thompson
- Sophie Thompson
- Eric Thompson
- Kenneth Branagh
- Alan Rickman
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- Alec Guinness
- Alan Bennett
- John Mortimer
- John Hurt
- Jane Austen
- William Shakespeare
- Gaia
- Jacky Leggo
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Danny DeVito
Institutions
- BBC News
- Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
- The Telegraph
- London Palladium
- Oxford Playhouse
- Hay Festival
- BBC
Locations
- Glasgow
- London
- Bristol
- Oxford
- United Kingdom
- Scotland