Emma Thompson, born into a family of actors and actresses, rose to international fame through her impressive performances on stage and screen. From her early work in London’s ‘West End’ revival of ‘Me and My Girl’ to her acclaimed films like ‘Howards End’ and ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ Thompson has established herself as a brilliant artist. She has also collaborated with notable talents such as Kenneth Branagh, Hugh Laurie, and Stephen Fry. With recurring roles in the ‘Harry Potter’ series and a reputation for delivering sterling performances, Thompson continues to be one of the most honored and respected actresses in the industry.
Quick Facts
- British Celebrities Born In April
- Also Known As: Dame Emma Thompson
- Age: 64 Years, 64 Year Old Females
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Greg Wise (m. 2003), Kenneth Branagh (m. 1989–1995)
- Father: Eric Thompson
- Mother: Phyllida Law
- Siblings: Sophie Thompson
- Children: Gaia Romilly Wise, Tindyebwa Agaba Wise
- Born Country: England
- Quotes By Emma Thompson
- Actresses
- Height: 5’8″ (173 cm), 5’8″ Females
- Political ideology: Labour Party
- City: London, England
- Notable Alumni: Newnham College, Cambridge
- Education: Newnham College, Cambridge
Childhood & Early Life
Emma Thompson was born on 15 April 1959, in Paddington, London, England. Her parents are Phyllida Law, a Scottish actress, and Eric Thompson, a popular actor known for ‘The Magic Roundabout.’ Thompson attended the Camden School for Girls and later enrolled at Newnham College in Cambridge. She was inspired to become a comedienne after reading ‘The Madwoman in the Attic’ and admiring Lily Tomlin. In 1980, she became the vice president of the sketch comedy troupe Footlights and co-directed their first all-female revue, ‘Women’s Hour,’ which won the Perrier Award for ‘The Cellar Tapes.’
Career
Thompson’s career took off after she appeared in the West End revival of the musical ‘Me and My Girl’ in 1985. She then went on to play lead roles in television miniseries such as ‘Fortunes of War’ and ‘Tutti Frutti.’ Her film debut came in 1989 with the romantic comedy ‘The Tall Guy.’ She gained critical acclaim for her roles in films like ‘Henry V,’ ‘Impromptu,’ and ‘Dead Again.’ In 1993, she impressed audiences with her performance as Beatrice in the film adaptation of ‘Much Ado About Nothing.’ Thompson continued to have a successful career in both film and television, with notable roles in ‘In the Name of the Father,’ ‘Love Actually,’ ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,’ and ‘Saving Mr. Banks.’
Major Works
One of Thompson’s major works was her role in the 1992 film ‘Howards End,’ which received critical acclaim and won her numerous awards. She also wrote the screenplay for the 1995 film ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ which became one of the highest-grossing films of her career. In 2012, she wrote ‘The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit,’ a book that became a New York Times Best Seller.
Awards & Achievements
Emma Thompson has won two Oscars, one for Best Actress in a Leading Role for ‘Howards End’ and another for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published for ‘Sense and Sensibility.’ She has also received BAFTA awards for her performances in ‘Tutti Frutti,’ ‘Fortunes of War,’ ‘Howards End,’ and ‘Sense and Sensibility.’ In addition, she won a Primetime Emmy for her guest appearance on ‘Ellen.’
Personal Life & Legacy
Thompson was previously married to actor-director Kenneth Branagh from 1989 to 1995. She later married actor Greg Wise in 2003 and they have a daughter named Gaia. Thompson is known for her activism and support of causes such as Greenpeace and human rights. She is also an ambassador for the charity ActionAid.
Trivia
Emma Thompson used to keep her Oscars in her bathroom, but had to move them to make room for her daughter’s artwork. She also has a song dedicated to her in Georges Moustaki’s album ‘Moustaki.’