Dame Emma Thompson: Full Biographical Profile
Emma Thompson is a celebrated British actress, screenwriter, producer, and author, renowned for her ability to seamlessly transition between period dramas, comedies, and contemporary roles. She is one of the few artists to have won Academy Awards for both acting and screenwriting.
- Full Name: Dame Emma Thompson
- Date of Birth: April 15, 1959
- Place of Birth: Paddington, London, England
- Parents: Eric Thompson (Writer/Director) and Phyllida Law (Actress)
- Education: Newnham College, Cambridge (English Literature)
- First Marriage: Kenneth Branagh (m. 1989; div. 1995)
- Current Spouse: Greg Wise (m. 2003)
- Children: Gaia Wise (Daughter) and Tindyebwa Agaba Wise (Adopted Son)
- Honours: Appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2018 for services to drama.
- Estimated Net Worth (2025): Between $40 million and $55 million.
Major Accolades and Awards
Thompson’s career is marked by exceptional critical acclaim, making her a true Hollywood and British cinema icon.
- Academy Awards (Oscars): Two wins (Best Actress for Howards End, Best Adapted Screenplay for Sense and Sensibility).
- Golden Globe Awards: Two wins (Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for Howards End, Best Screenplay – Motion Picture for Sense and Sensibility).
- BAFTA Awards: Three wins, including Best Actress for Howards End and Sense and Sensibility.
- Primetime Emmy Award: One win for her work in television.
Emma Thompson’s Must-Watch 2025 Projects: Thrillers and Grime
The year 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Emma Thompson, with two major projects—a film and a series—cementing her move into the action and mystery thriller genres. Her recent interviews have provided fascinating behind-the-scenes insights into these roles.
1. Dead of Winter (2025 Film)
Thompson is starring in the 2025 action thriller film, Dead of Winter, directed by Brian Kirk. The movie is set in the snowbound landscape of northern Minnesota, a stark departure from her usual British settings. She recently discussed the film at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, where she presented the project. The role sees her tackling a challenging and isolated character, showcasing her dramatic range in a suspenseful environment alongside co-star Judy Greer.
2. Down Cemetery Road (2025 Series)
In a highly anticipated move to television, Thompson is starring in and executive producing the new thriller series, Down Cemetery Road, from Apple TV+. Based on the novel by Mick Herron, the series co-stars Ruth Wilson. Thompson plays Sarah Tucker, a woman who becomes obsessed with a cold case involving a missing person.
During a recent interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Thompson hilariously discussed embracing "a bit of grime" for the role, reflecting her character's gritty, real-world setting. This project is a major focus for her, blending her skills as a dramatic actor with the complex, long-form storytelling of a premium streaming series.
Recent Controversies and Emotional Revelations
Beyond her filmography, Dame Emma Thompson remains an outspoken public figure, using her platform for political causes and sharing surprisingly candid details about her personal life.
The Donald Trump Date Offer
One of the most talked-about revelations in late 2025 was Thompson's account of how former US President Donald Trump once asked her on a date. The story, which she recounted in an interview, detailed a phone call she received from Trump in the 1990s following her divorce from Kenneth Branagh. The revelation generated significant media attention, highlighting the often-surreal intersections of celebrity and politics.
The Heartbreaking ‘Love Actually’ Moment
Thompson also recently offered a poignant look back at her iconic, tear-jerking scene in the 2003 film Love Actually. She revealed the heartbreaking reason behind her character's quiet moment of grief, where she cries in her bedroom after finding evidence of her husband’s infidelity. Thompson explained that the raw emotion in the scene was drawn from her own painful experience of her marriage dissolving, lending an authentic, deeply personal layer to one of the film's most famous moments.
Political Activism: The Just Stop Oil Protest
Thompson continues to be a vocal environmental and political activist. In June 2024, she made headlines for publicly backing the Just Stop Oil protest in London. She spoke passionately about the state of the UK, stating that the country was being "despoiled, polluted and destroyed." Her involvement underscores her commitment to climate change advocacy, often using her status as a Dame to draw attention to causes she believes in.
The "Malibu Mansion" Objection
In another instance of public advocacy, Thompson joined a group of UK acting stars in objecting to plans for a large-scale development, dubbed a "Malibu mansion," near her home. This local issue highlighted her willingness to engage in community and planning disputes, showing she is as active in local affairs as she is on the global stage of cinema and environmentalism.
Topical Authority and Legacy
Emma Thompson's enduring legacy is built on her ability to embody complex, intelligent, and often deeply flawed characters, from Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility to Professor Sybill Trelawney in the Harry Potter franchise. Her work as a screenwriter, particularly her Oscar-winning adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, positions her as a formidable literary and cinematic force.
Her nearly two-decade-long marriage to fellow actor Greg Wise, whom she met on the set of Sense and Sensibility, and their family, including daughter Gaia Wise and adopted son Tindyebwa Agaba Wise, provides a strong personal foundation for her continued professional success. As she moves into a new phase of her career with high-stakes thriller roles, Emma Thompson remains a benchmark for excellence and a powerful voice in the cultural conversation.
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