Emma Thompson is a renowned British actress, screenwriter, activist, and author. She is widely recognized for her performances in films such as Love Actually and Sense and Sensibility.
Dame Emma Thompson DBE was born on April 15, 1959, in Paddington, London, United Kingdom. She is the daughter of actors Eric Thompson and Phyllida Law, and grew up in a theatrical household that fostered her interest in performance and storytelling. While studying English literature at the University of Cambridge, Thompson joined the esteemed comedy troupe Footlights, where she developed her comedic and acting talents.
After graduating in 1980, she began her professional acting career. One of her early significant roles was in the BBC miniseries Fortunes of War (1987), opposite actor Kenneth Branagh, which brought her critical recognition.
Thompson achieved widespread acclaim in 1995 when she wrote and starred in an adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning her an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Her work solidified her reputation both as a talented actress and a skilled screenwriter.
Her screenwriting continued with the family-friendly film Nanny McPhee (2005), based on the books by Christianna Brand. Thompson not only wrote the screenplay but also starred as the titular magical governess. She reprised her role and wrote the screenplay for the sequel, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang (2010).
In 2014, she wrote the screenplay for Effie Gray, a historical drama exploring the troubled marriage of art critic John Ruskin. She also appeared in the film in a supporting role. Thompson’s ability to bring literary and historical narratives to the screen has earned her continued respect in the film industry.
Her net worth is estimated to be in the range of $40–50 million, reflecting her enduring success in film, television, and literature. In recognition of her contributions to drama, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2018.
Among her celebrated projects is the National Theatre and BBC television adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear (2018), in which Thompson appeared alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins. The production was nominated for Outstanding Television Movie at the 2019 Emmy Awards.
While attending Cambridge, Thompson was briefly in a relationship with fellow actor Hugh Laurie. Though they eventually parted ways, they have maintained a close friendship and mutual respect for each other's work.
In 1987, she met Kenneth Branagh on the set of Fortunes of War, and the two married in 1989. The marriage ended in 1995 following Branagh's relationship with actress Helena Bonham Carter, which began during the filming of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994).
Thompson later met actor Greg Wise on the set of Sense and Sensibility (1995). Their friendship developed into a long-term partnership, and the couple married on July 29, 2003. They have since shared a stable family life, raising their daughter together and remaining active in both the entertainment industry and their advocacy efforts.
| Birth Date: | 15 Apr, 1959 |
| Age: | 61 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United Kingdom |
| Birth Place: | Paddington |
| residence: | West Hampstead |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | English actress and writer |
| Spouse: | Greg Wise [M. 2003] Kenneth Branagh[1989-1995] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 50 million |
