Emma Thompson’s actress mum Phyllida Law dies at home aged 94 as tributes pour in

EMMA Thompson’s actress mum Phyllida Law has died aged 94. A statement from her manager Jacky Leggo announced the veteran stage and screen star “died supremely peacefully at home, surrounded by all her family”. Phyllida Law has died aged 94 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd Phyllida was the mother of Emma Thompson (pictured right) and grandmother of Gaia Wise (pictured left) Credit: Getty Glasgow-born Phyllida studied at the renowned Old Vic Theatre school in Bristol where she met her actor husband Eric. The couple married in 1957 and went on to have two daughters, actresses Emma and Sophie. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! Phyllida’s granddaughter, actress Gaia Wise – Emma’s daughter – took to her Instagram story to pay tribute. Meanwhile, Eric died in 1982, aged 53, following a heart attack. Read more on Emma Thompson The late actress began landing high profile film roles in the 80s, having risen to prominence two decades earlier Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd She has appeared in projects alongside actress daughters Emma and Sophie Thompson Credit: PA:Press Association The 26-year-old penned: “Rest well my Queen”, accompanied by a red love heart emoji. A fan wrote online: “Sad to read that Phyllida Law has now passed away. “Phyllida starred in many great works over 8 decades, as well as the 2002 adaptation of Stig of the Dump, filmed near my hiraeth place. “Thoughts are with her daughters Emma and Sophie & other loved ones.” Most read in Showbiz Another added: “RIP Phyllida Law. Very sad news. “Obviously enduringly well-loved for her acting work but I also loved listening to her talking about the The Magic Roundabout, very funny.” A third shared: “Phyllida law, Emma and Sophie Thompson[‘s] mother, has sadly passed away. rest in peace queen. sending her family all my love.” Phyllida rose to prominence in the 1960s, appearing in the programmes Dr Finlay’s Casebook and Dixon of Dock Green. She also landed notable stage roles such as starring opposite Alec Guinness in the 1971 production of John Mortimer’s A Voyage Round My Father. It was in the 80s when she began landing high profile film roles. Phyllida appeared opposite daughter Emma in Peter’s Friends, which was directed by Thompson’s then-husband Kenneth Branagh, and again in Much Ado About Nothing. She also featured in the Jane Austen’s Emma with her other daughter Sophie and Gwyneth Paltrow. Continuing her run of familial flicks, Phyllida played Emma’s on-screen mum in Alan Rickman’s The Winter Guest, which was lauded by critics. Well-known British TV roles followed later in her career with credits including Waking the Dead, Rosemary & Thyme and Doc Martin. Comment now