Acclaimed Scottish actress Phyllida Law, best known for her distinguished career on stage and screen and as the mother of actresses Emma and Sophie Thompson, has died aged 94.
The news was confirmed by her manager, Jacky Leggo, who said Law “died supremely peacefully at home, surrounded by all of her family”.
Born in Glasgow in 1932, Law enjoyed a prolific career spanning theatre, film and television. She trained at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where she initially hoped to pursue a career in stage design. It was there that she met her future husband, actor and writer Eric Thompson.
The couple married in 1957 and remained together until Thompson died of a heart attack in 1982, aged 53.
Law became particularly renowned for her theatre work, appearing in productions including A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, A Voyage Round My Father, opposite Alec Guinness, and the original London production of the English-language musical La Cage aux Folles.
She also enjoyed a successful film career, frequently sharing the screen with her daughters. Her credits included Peter’s Friends (1992), Much Ado About Nothing (1993) and The Winter Guest (1997).
In 1996, Law appeared in the acclaimed Jane Austen adaptation Emma, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Toni Collette and Ewan McGregor, alongside her daughter Sophie Thompson.
Her other notable film appearances included The Time Machine (2002), Danny the Dog (2005), Miss Potter (2006), Albert Nobbs (2011) and A Little Chaos (2014). The latter reunited her with Alan Rickman, who had directed her in The Winter Guest.
In recognition of her contribution to drama and charitable causes, Law was appointed an OBE in 2014.
Her final screen appearance came in the 2020 romantic comedy Then Came You, written by and starring Kathie Lee Gifford.
Remembered for her warmth, versatility and remarkable body of work, Phyllida Law leaves behind a lasting legacy in British theatre, film and television.
RIP Phyllida Law (1932–2026).
