Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Actress Phyllida Law, Mother of Emma and Sophie Thompson, Dies
Phyllida Law was a Scottish actress who died at age 94.
Her granddaughter Gaia Wise shared the news online.
Law died peacefully at home with her family nearby.
She was the mother of actresses Emma Thompson and Sophie Thompson.
Phyllida and Sophie acted together in the film Emma.
Phyllida and Emma appeared together in several films, including Nanny McPhee.
Law also performed on the West End stage in London.
She received an OBE for her work in drama and charity.
Scottish actress Phyllida Law died aged 94 on July 27.
Her granddaughter Gaia Wise announced the death on social media.
Law’s manager said she died peacefully at home surrounded by family.
She appeared with Sophie Thompson in the 1996 film adaptation of Emma.
Law also worked with Emma Thompson in Much Ado About Nothing, Peter’s Friends and Nanny McPhee.
- Who
- Scottish actress Phyllida Law, mother of Emma and Sophie Thompson, died aged 94.
- What
- Law’s death was confirmed by her granddaughter and manager.
- When
- She died on July 27.
- Where
- She died peacefully at home, surrounded by family; the location was not specified.
- Why
- The articles do not state a cause of death.
- Age at death
- 94
- Date of death
- July 27
- Family
- Survived by daughters Emma and Sophie Thompson and three grandchildren
- Birthplace
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Screen collaborations
- Appeared with Sophie Thompson in Emma and with Emma Thompson in Peter’s Friends, Much Ado About Nothing and Nanny McPhee
- Stage work
- Performed in several West End productions, including the original London cast of La Cage Aux Folles
- Honour
- Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2014