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Emma Thompson Biography

Birth Name:Emma Thompson

Birth Place:Paddington, London, England

Profession Actress, Writer, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

  • An avid supporter of the environmental organization Greenpeace
  • Studied English at the University of Cambridge's Newnham College
  • Daughter of actress Phyllida Law
  • Was a member of the Cambridge Footlights comedy troupe
  • Quote: "I am who I am and there is nothing I can do about that․"
  • Quote: "I've sort of pulled back from acting, which is fine, because I've found over the years -- and this was a surprise to me -- that I can get the same kind of creative satisfaction from writing as I have heretofore gotten out of acting․"
  • Was a college classmate of actors Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie

Awards

  • 1988BAFTA TV Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1992ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1992BSFC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1992Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Female: nominated
  • 1992KCFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1992LAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1992NBR Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1992NYFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1993Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1993ACCA-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1993ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1993BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1993CFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1993DFWFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1993David-Best Foreign Actress (Migliore Attrice Straniera): winner
  • 1993Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
  • 1993KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 1993KCFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1993ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: winner
  • 1993NSFC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1993NYFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1993SEFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1994Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1994Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1994American Comedy Award-Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): nominated
  • 1994BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1994CFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1994David-Best Foreign Actress (Migliore Attrice Straniera): winner
  • 1994Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1994Independent Spirit Award-Best Female Lead: nominated
  • 1994Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1994Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1995American Comedy Award-Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): nominated
  • 1995ACCA-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
  • 1995ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1995ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 1995BSFC Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1995Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1995LAFCA Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1995NBR Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1995NYFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1995NYFCC Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1995STFC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1995STFC Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: winner
  • 1996Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published: winner
  • 1996Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: nominated
  • 1996BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Adapted: nominated
  • 1996BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1996CFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1996Chlotrudis Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1996Critics Choice Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1996Critics Choice Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1996David-Best Foreign Actress (Migliore Attrice Straniera): nominated
  • 1996Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1996Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: winner
  • 1996USC Scripter Award-: winner
  • 1996WGA Award (Screen)-Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published: winner
  • 1996Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award-Film - Screenplay: winner
  • 1997European Film Award-European Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 1997Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1997ALFS Award-British Screenwriter of the Year: winner
  • 1997Pasinetti Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1998British Independent Film Award-Best Performance by a British Actress in an Independent Film: nominated
  • 1998Chlotrudis Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1998Outstanding European Achievement in World Cinema-: nominated
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 1998Golden Aries-Best Foreign Actress: nominated
  • 1999American Comedy Award-Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): nominated
  • 1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actress - Drama: nominated
  • 2001Humanitas Prize-90 Minute or Longer Cable Category: winner
  • 2001OFTA Television Award-Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
  • 2001OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2001Best Actress-: winner
  • 2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2002Christopher Award-Television & Cable: winner
  • 2002Critics Choice Award-Best Actress in a Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2002Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2002Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2003Annie-Outstanding Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production: nominated
  • 2003OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2004Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: nominated
  • 2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2004BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2004Empire Award-Best British Actress: winner
  • 2004Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2004Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actress: nominated
  • 2004ALFS Award-British Supporting Actress of the Year: winner
  • 2004PFCS Award-Best Ensemble Acting: nominated
  • 2004PFCS Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2004Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2004Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2006EDA Award-Best Actress in a Comedic Performance: nominated
  • 2007Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2007Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2007ALFS Award-British Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2008EDA Female Focus Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: nominated
  • 2008British Independent Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2008Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2009Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: winner
  • 2009ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2009Audience Award-Best International Actress: nominated
  • 2009ALFS Award-British Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actress of the Decade: nominated
  • 2012ACCA TV-Best Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2013Felix-Best Actress: winner
  • 2013EDA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2013ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2013DFWFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2013DFCC-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2013Golden Schmoes-Best Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2013HFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2013IGN Award-Best Movie Actress: nominated
  • 2013Sierra Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2013NBR Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2013PFCS Award-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2013PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2013SDFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2013SLFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2013WAFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2014Felix-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2014Felix-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2014Saturn Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2014BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actress: nominated
  • 2014Critics Choice Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2014DFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2014Empire Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2014Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actress: nominated
  • 2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2014Jupiter Award-Best International Actress: nominated
  • 2014ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2014NCFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2014OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Adapted Song: nominated
  • 2014OFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2014Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2015Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: nominated
  • 2015BAFTA Scotland Award-Best Actress - Film: winner
  • 2015CinEuphoria-Best Actress - International Competition: nominated
  • 2015OFTA Television Award-Best Female Performance in a Fiction Program: nominated
  • 2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie: nominated
  • 2016Felix-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2016Felix-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2016Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Comedy: winner
  • 2016Parajanov-Vartanov Institute Award-Parajanov-Vartanov Institute: winner
  • 2016Mommie Dearest Worst Screen Mom of the Year Award-: nominated
  • 2018Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2019Chlotrudis Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019Gold Derby TV Award-Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2019HCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019IFJA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
  • 2019OFTA Television Award-Best Individual Host or Panelist in a Reality or Non-Fiction Program: nominated
  • 2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2019Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries & Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2019WFCC Award-Best Screen Couple: nominated
  • 2019WFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: nominated
  • 2020Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2020National Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2020OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
  • 2021HCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2022British Independent Film Award-Best Joint Lead Performance: nominated
  • 2022Capri European Actress Award-: winner
  • 2022CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actress - International Competition: nominated
  • 2022HCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2022OAFFC Award-Best Female Lead: nominated
  • 2022SLFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2022WFCC Award-Hall of Shame: winner
  • 2022WFCC Award-Best Screen Couple: nominated
  • 2023Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2023EDA Special Mention Award-Most Daring Performance: winner
  • 2023EDA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2023BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actress: nominated
  • 2023BOFA-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2023CinEuphoria-Best Actress - International Competition: nominated
  • 2023Girls on Film Award-Best Female Orgasm: winner
  • 2023Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2023HFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2023ALFS Award-British/Irish Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2023SFBAFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2023Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2025National Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner