About Emma Thompson
Dame Emma Thompson, born on April 15, 1959, is a highly acclaimed British actress and screenwriter, celebrated as one of the most talented performers of her era. Over her impressive career spanning more than 40 years, she has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. In recognition of her remarkable contributions to the arts, she was honored with a Damehood (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018.
Raised in a family of actors, with parents Eric Thompson and Phyllida Law, Thompson pursued her education at Newnham College, Cambridge, where she joined the Footlights theatre group. She gained early recognition in the comedy sketch show 'Alfresco' (1983–1984) and achieved a significant career milestone in 1985 by leading the West End revival of 'Me and My Girl.' Her breakout moments came in 1987 when she impressed audiences in the BBC series 'Tutti Frutti' and 'Fortunes of War,' winning the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for both performances. In the early 1990s, her partnership with then-husband Kenneth Branagh flourished, as they collaborated on films like 'Henry V' (1989), 'Dead Again' (1991), and 'Much Ado About Nothing' (1993).
Thompson clinched both the BAFTA Award and Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the Merchant-Ivory film 'Howards End' (1992). She made history in 1993 by receiving two Academy Award nominations in the same year: Best Actress for her portrayal of a housekeeper in 'The Remains of the Day' and Best Supporting Actress for her role as a lawyer in 'In the Name of the Father.' Thompson's writing and acting prowess brilliantly shone in 'Sense and Sensibility' (1995), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, making her uniquely positioned as the only individual to win Oscars in both acting and writing categories, along with another BAFTA Award.
Further critical acclaim followed her roles in films such as 'Primary Colors' (1998), 'Love Actually' (2003), 'Saving Mr. Banks' (2013), 'Late Night' (2019), and 'Good Luck to You, Leo Grande' (2022). Her extensive filmography also includes notable titles like the 'Harry Potter' series (2004–2011), 'Nanny McPhee' (2005), 'Stranger than Fiction' (2006), 'An Education' (2009), 'Men in Black 3' (2012) and its spin-off 'Men in Black: International' (2019), 'Brave' (2012), 'Beauty and the Beast' (2017), 'Cruella' (2021), and 'Matilda the Musical' (2022).
On television, Thompson has showcased her talent in productions such as 'Wit' (2001), 'Angels in America' (2003), 'The Song of Lunch' (2010), 'King Lear' (2018), and 'Years and Years' (2019). Additionally, as an authorized writer for Beatrix Potter's publishers, she has created three beloved children's books featuring Peter Rabbit.
Movie Credits
Emma Thompson has appeared in 112 movies.
TV Credits
Emma Thompson has appeared in 42 shows.
