Emma Thompson’s Mother, Actress Phyllida Law, Dies at 94

Phyllida Law, the celebrated Scottish actress and mother of renowned actresses Emma and Sophie Thompson, has passed away at the age of 94. Law’s death occurred on July 27, 2023, but was publicly announced shortly after by her manager, Jacky Leggo, on August 18. While the cause of her passing has not been disclosed, Leggo stated that Law “died supremely peacefully at home, surrounded by all of her family.”

Born in Glasgow in 1932, Phyllida Law initially set out to become a stage designer, attending a theatre school to pursue this dream. However, her path took a different direction, leading her to an enduring career in acting spanning over eight decades. During this extensive time in the spotlight, she became known for her engaging performances both on stage and screen, often collaborating with her daughters, Emma and Sophie.

Phyllida married fellow actor Eric Thompson in 1957, and together they had two daughters, Emma, now 67, and Sophie, 64. The family faced a profound change when Eric passed away in 1982 at the age of 53. Emma later recounted how this loss fostered a distinctive bond among the three women. At the time, she reflected that their close-knit relationship was likely strengthened by the need to support one another in their shared experiences as actresses.

Over the years, Law and her daughters joined forces in various film projects, showcasing their talents and familial ties. In the 1990s, they appeared together in films directed by Emma’s then-husband Kenneth Branagh, such as “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Peter’s Friends”. They also portrayed a mother-daughter duo in Alan Rickman’s acclaimed directorial début, “The Winter Guest”.

One of Law’s notable collaborations with Emma was in the 2005 family film “Nanny McPhee”, where Law lent her voice to Mrs. Partridge, complementing Emma’s titular role. The actress also worked with her daughter Sophie in the 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma”, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow.

Beyond her work within the family, Phyllida Law enjoyed a prolific career in theatre and television during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Her film credits include memorable appearances in “Saving Grace” (2000), “The Time Machine” (2002), and “Unleashed” (2005). Law’s last on-screen appearance was in 2020’s “Then Came You”, starring alongside Craig Ferguson and Kathie Lee Gifford.

Law’s final public outing took place at the premiere of her daughter Emma’s film “Dead of Winter” in September 2025. The event saw a touching family moment when Emma’s daughter, Gaia Wise, kissed her grandmother during the occasion, highlighting the enduring closeness of their family.

In 2017, Phyllida published a memoir titled “Dead Now Of Course: A Heartwarming Memoir of Life in the Theatre and a Famous Courtship”, which chronicled her early acting career and her relationship with her late husband, Eric. In a light-hearted interview surrounding the book’s release, she expressed her wishes for a unique funeral, one that would allow guests ample time to see a theatre performance afterwards.

The legacy of Phyllida Law lives on through her contributions to the performing arts as well as the remarkable careers of her daughters. Her influence in the theatre and film will be fondly remembered by audiences and those within the industry alike. Law’s journey through the world of acting created a path that not only shaped her own career but also profoundly impacted her family, underlining the powerful connection between artistry and family ties.