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

Celebrated British actress Phyllida Law has died at the age of 94, her family confirmed on Tuesday. Law passed away peacefully at home on Monday, surrounded by her loved ones, including her daughters Dame Emma Thompson and Sophie Thompson, both distinguished performers in their own right.

A Career Spanning Five Decades

Born in Glasgow in 1932, Phyllida Law built a rich and varied career in theatre, film and television spanning more than half a century. She appeared alongside both daughters on screen multiple times, most memorably in the 1996 Jane Austen adaptation Emma and in Peter's Friends (1992), directed by her then-son-in-law Sir Kenneth Branagh. Law was appointed OBE in 2014, a ceremony which both Emma and Sophie attended with her.

Family and Colleagues Pay Tribute

The family announced in a joint statement: "It is with great sadness we have to announce that Phyllida Law died supremely peacefully at home, surrounded by all of her family." Tributes have poured in from the film and theatre world, celebrating a performer known for her warmth, wit, and extraordinary range. She is survived by her daughters and grandchildren.