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Updated Aug 18, 2026 · 23:15
Hollywood News Updated Aug 18, 2026

Phyllida Law, Scottish Actress and Mother of Emma Thompson, Dies at 94

Phyllida Law, the Scottish actress and mother of Emma and Sophie Thompson, has died peacefully at home at age 94, surrounded by family. She appeared in films with Emma including Peter's Friends and Much Ado About Nothing, and worked with Sophie on projects like Emma and Doc Martin. Law, who received an OBE in 2014, is survived by her two daughters and three grandchildren.

Emma Thompson's mother Phyllida Law passes away

Los Angeles, August 18

Phyllida Law, the Scottish actress and mother of actresses Emma and Sophie Thompson, has died at the age of 94.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, her death was announced by her manager, Jacky Leggo, who said in a statement that she "died supremely peacefully at home, surrounded by her family."

Law appeared with Emma in films including Peter's Friends (1992), Much Ado About Nothing (1993) -- both directed by then-son-in-law Kenneth Branagh -- and Junior (1994), and they portrayed mother and daughter in The Winter Guest (1997), directed by Alan Rickman.

She acted alongside younger daughter Sophie in Jane Austen's Emma (1996), starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and they would work together on TV series including Poirot, Midsomer Murders, Timeshift and Doc Martin.

She was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2014 for her services to drama and charitable causes, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Law is survived by her two daughters and her three grandchildren.

— ANI

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