A Scottish actress who was perhaps known best as the mother of a two-time Academy Award-winning star has sadly passed away at the age of 94.
Phyllida Law was the mother of British actresses Emma Thompson (who, of course, won Oscars for starring in 1992’s “Howards Way” and for writing 1995’s “Sense and Sensibility”) and Sophie Thompson (whose credits include the likes of 1994’s “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and 2001’s “Gosford Park”). Her husband and Emma and Sophie’s father, the actor, scriptwriter and stage director Eric Thompson, passed away in 1982.
Born on July 6, 1932 in Glasgow, Scotland, Law died this month. The cause and exact date of her passing aren’t yet public knowledge.
However, The Guardian says that her personal manager, Jacky Leggo, provided them with a statement that says Law “died supremely peacefully at home, surrounded by all her family.”
Of course, as well as being the mother of famous children, Law had a hugely successful career of her own. It comprised roles on both the big and small screens.
Phyllida Law Had an Extensive Filmography
GettyThe acting career of Phyllida Law began in the 1950s. She appeared in countless notable movies and television shows — many times alongside her famous daughters.
Law’s notable movie credits included 1992’s “Peter’s Friends,” 1993’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” 1994’s “Junior,” 1996’s “Emma,” 1997’s “Anna Karenina,” 2002’s “The Time Machine,” 2005’s “Nanny McPhee,” 2010’s “Arrietty,” 2011’s “Albert Nobbs,” 2014’s “A Little Chaos,” 2016’s “Bakery in Brooklyn,” and 2020’s “Then Came You.”
On television, her notable credits include presenting children’s show “Play School,” as well as appearances in legal comedy-drama “Rumpole of the Bailey,” mystery drama series “Agatha Christie’s Poirot,” period drama “The House of Eliott,” detective series “Taggart,” police procedural period drama “Heartbeat,” mystery series “Midsomer Murders,” comedy-drama series “Monarch of the Glen,” crime drama series “Waking the Dead,” mystery thriller comedy-drama series “Rosemary & Thyme,” the “Doctor Who” spin-off series “The Sarah Jane Adventures,” detective drama series “Foyle’s War,” medical comedy-drama series “Doc Martin,” and police procedural comedy-drama series “New Tricks.”
Per The London Gazette, Law was also appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in Queen Elizabeth II’s 2014 Birthday Honours for services to drama and for charitable services.
As news of Law’s passing began to circulate online, tributes to the late actress started to pour in.
Fans Pay Tribute to ‘Well-Loved’ & ‘Funny’ Law
GettySocial media is now awash with Phyllida Law’s fans paying tribute to her following her sad passing.
On X, one X user wrote, “Sad to read that Phyllida Law has now passed away. Phyllida starred in many great works over 8 decades, as well as the 2002 adaptation of Stig of the Dump, filmed near my hiraeth place.” The user then added, “Thoughts are with her daughters Emma and Sophie & other loved ones.”
Another X user said, “RIP Phyllida Law. Very sad news. Obviously enduringly well-loved for her acting work but I also loved listening to her talking about the The Magic Roundabout, very funny.”
Finally, someone else on the same platform commented, “phyllida law, emma and sophie thompson mother, has sadly passed away. rest in peace queen. sending her family all my love 🤍.”
We’d like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Phyllida Law — including Emma Thompson and Sophie Thompson — at this terribly upsetting time. May her memory be a blessing and may she rest in eternal peace.
Phyllida Law’s filmography and some personal info were courtesy of IMDb.
