Phyllida Law

Phyllida Law

Law at the Nanny McPhee London premiere in 2005
Born Phyllida Ann Law
8 May 1932
Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Occupation Actress
Years active 1958–present
Spouse(s) Eric Thompson (m. 1957; died 1982)
Children Emma Thompson
Sophie Thompson

Phyllida Ann Law,[1] OBE (born 8 May 1932), is a Scottish actress.

Early life

Law was born in Glasgow, the daughter of Megsie "Meg" and William Law, a journalist.[1][2] She was married to actor Eric Thompson from 1957 until his death in 1982. Their daughters, Emma and Sophie Thompson, are both actresses. She has appeared in many documentaries and interviews concerning her late husband's work on The Magic Roundabout.

Career

Law has worked extensively in television, including appearances in Dixon of Dock Green, Rumpole of the Bailey and the 1972 adaptation of the Lord Peter Wimsey tale The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club. She appeared in films such as Peter's Friends (1992), Much Ado About Nothing (1993) (playing Ursula alongside daughter Emma's Beatrice), and The Winter Guest (1997) (playing Elspeth alongside daughter Emma's Frances).

She was in the original London cast of La Cage aux Folles at the London Palladium in 1986, playing the role of Jacqueline.[3]

In 2004 she guest-starred on Rosemary & Thyme episode titled 'Orpheus in the Undergrowth' as May Beauchamp. In 2007 she guest-starred in two Doctor Who spin-off adventures: as Bea Nelson-Stanley in The Sarah Jane Adventures story "Eye of the Gorgon" and as Beldonia in the audio drama Doctor Who: The Bride of Peladon. Also in 2007 she played Aunt Auriel in the drama Kingdom starring Stephen Fry. In 2008 she appeared as a guest star in Foyle's War.

In November 2009, Law published her first book.[4] Notes to my Mother-In-Law concerns the 17 years Thompson's mother-in-law lived with the family from the mid-1960s until her death. In January 2010, she appeared with Tony Slattery on Ready Steady Cook. She starred alongside John Hurt in a short film entitled 'Love at First Sight' which was shortlisted for an Oscar in 2012.[5]

Phyllida Law (centre) flanked by her daughters Sophie Thompson and Emma Thompson on receiving her OBE at Buckingham Palace.
Phyllida Law receives the honorary doctorate from the hands of Muhammad Yunus, chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University (July 4th 2013).

Law received an honorary doctorate from Glasgow Caledonian University. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to drama and for charitable services.[6]

Film and television

Published works

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Phyllida Law profile at FilmReference.com". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
  2. ↑ Swann, Yvonne (20 February 2010). "Me and my school photo: Phyllida Law remembers her childhood as an evacuee". Daily Mail (London). Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "La Cage aux Folles - 1986 West End - Original West End Cast". BroadwayWorld.com. 2011-10-09. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
  4. ↑ "The Bookseller". The Bookseller. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
  5. ↑ Ford, Rebecca (2011-12-14). "10 Live Action Short Films". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 60895. p. b13. 14 June 2014.

External links