Emma Thompson is an English actress and screenwriter widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses of her generation, a performer whose career has spanned more than four decades and who has won two Academy Awards, one for acting and one for writing. From her Oscar-winning turn in Howards End to her beloved roles in Love Actually, Nanny McPhee and the Harry Potter films, Thompson has played everyone from professors and nannies to queens and witches, and she has done it with a wit and a warmth that few actors can match.
| Full Name | Emma Thompson |
| Date of Birth | April 15, 1959 |
| Age | 67 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Paddington, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Profession | Actress, screenwriter, author |
| Known For | Howards End, Sense and Sensibility, Love Actually |
| Husband | Greg Wise (married 2003) |
| Children | Two, Gaia and Tindyebwa |
| Net Worth | Approx. $50 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025) |
Who Is Emma Thompson?
Emma Thompson is an actress who became one of the biggest stars in world cinema. She first found fame on stage and on television, where she appeared in the comedy series Alfresco and The Crystal Cube, and then on screen with Howards End in 1992, in which she played Margaret Schlegel, a performance that earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Thompson won her second Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Sense and Sensibility in 1995, in which she also starred as Elinor Dashwood, making her the only person to have won Oscars for both acting and writing. She also appeared in Love Actually in 2003, in which she played Karen, and in the Harry Potter films as Professor Sybill Trelawney.
Early Life & Background
Emma Thompson was born on April 15, 1959, in Paddington, London, England, the daughter of actor Eric Thompson and actress Phyllida Law, and she grew up in London, where she attended the Camden School for Girls. She studied English literature at Newnham College, Cambridge, where she joined the Footlights comedy troupe and began acting in student productions.
After graduating from Cambridge, Thompson appeared in the comedy series Alfresco and The Crystal Cube, and she became known as one of the finest comic actresses of her generation. She also appeared on television, including in the series Fortunes of War, in which she met her first husband, Kenneth Branagh, and in film, including in Howards End, which made her a star.
She was married to actor and director Kenneth Branagh from 1989 to 1995. In 2003, she married actor Greg Wise, whom she met on the set of Sense and Sensibility. They have a daughter, Gaia, born in 1999, and an adopted son, Tindyebwa Agaba, a former child soldier from Rwanda, whom they informally adopted in 2003. She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2018, and she lives in London.
Career
Thompson’s breakthrough came with Howards End in 1992, in which she played Margaret Schlegel, opposite Anthony Hopkins. The film was a huge success, and Thompson went on to appear in Sense and Sensibility, Love Actually and Nanny McPhee, and she became known for her wit, her warmth and her intelligence.
After Howards End, Thompson appeared in Harry Potter, Saving Mr. Banks, Late Night and Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, in which she played Nancy Stokes, a performance that earned her a BAFTA nomination. She also wrote the screenplays for Sense and Sensibility and Nanny McPhee, and she published the children’s book The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Like fellow British screen legend Judi Dench, Thompson is known for a career that spans decades and for the wit and warmth she brings to every performance. She continues to act and write, and she remains one of the most beloved actresses in cinema.
Facts About Emma Thompson
- Emma Thompson has won two Academy Awards, one for acting in Howards End and one for writing Sense and Sensibility.
- She played Professor Sybill Trelawney in the Harry Potter films.
- She was born in Paddington, London, England, in 1959, and studied at Cambridge.
- She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2018.
- She has been married to Greg Wise since 2003, and they have two children, Gaia and Tindyebwa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Emma Thompson?
Emma Thompson was born on April 15, 1959, which makes her 67 years old as of November 2026.
How tall is Emma Thompson?
Emma Thompson is 5 feet 8 inches tall (1.73 metres).
Who is Emma Thompson married to?
Emma Thompson has been married to actor Greg Wise since 2003. They have two children, Gaia and Tindyebwa.
What is Emma Thompson’s net worth?
Emma Thompson’s net worth is estimated at approximately $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025.
What is Emma Thompson best known for?
Emma Thompson is best known for Howards End, Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually.