BWW Profile: Emma Thompson Emmy-Nominated Star of Stage and Screen
By: Tess Reynolds Sep. 16, 2015
Emma Thompson is one of the most CELEBRATED British actresses of her generation. Not only is she noted as an actress, but she is also recognized as a comedian, screenwriter, author and activist. From her beginnings as a member in the Footlights troupe alongside Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry, Thompson's credits and filmography have exploded, as well as her presence as a stage-performer. On the upcoming 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards, Emma Thompson is nominated for Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her work in SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET.
Thompson's first successful effort on the London stage was a revival of the 1930s musical ME AND MY GIRL. After a 15-month run, Thompson was exhausted but, the role granted her a breakthrough. Her next breakthrough was in 1987 when she had leading roles in two television series: FORTUNES OR WAR and TUTTI FRUTTI. In 1989, Thompson went back to the stage with her ex-husband Kenneth Branagh for a revival of LOOK BACK IN ANGER. Later that year, the pair starred in a televised adaptation of the play.
Thompson's first big-screen performance was in 1989 when she starred in the romantic comedy THE TALL GUY. While the film was not successful in the box office, Thompson received critical acclaim for her performance. She was seen later that year as Princess Katherine in Branagh's screen adaptation of Shakespeare's HENRY V. She continued her ventures with Shakespeare when she appeared on stage in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and KING LEAR.
Emma Thompson continued expanding her career by appear ing in such films as HOWARDS END, PETER'S FRIENDS, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and THE REMAINS OF THE DAY. These films cemented Thompson as an important British actress.
In 1994, Thompson made her Hollywood debut alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito in the blockbuster, JUNIOR. After her work on SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and PRIMARY COLORS, producers in Hollywood were lining up to hire Thompson. This pressure, among other things, caused her to take a year long break from the industry. And, after she became a mother in 1999, she decided to reduce her workload and only take on smaller roles instead of leads.
In the 2000s, Thompson starred in many extremely successful films including the HARRY POTTER film series, WIT, LOVE ACTUALLY, ANGELS IN AMERICA, NANNY MCPHEE, STRANGER THAN FICTION, LAST CHANCE HARVEY, MEN IN BLACK 3, and BRAVE.
Check out clips from Emma Thompson's diverse body of work below!
Will you be cheering on Emma Thompson during Sunday's Emmy telecast? Stick with BWW TV all week for in-depth Emmy coverage, features, predictions, and results. Let me know your thoughts on Emma Thompson's nomination and the Emmys in general in the comments below, or on Twitter using the hashtag #BWWEmmys.
The 67th Primetime Emmy Awards telecast will air live coast-to-coast on Sunday, September 20th (8 PM ET/5 PM PT) on FOX from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Make BroadwayWorld your home for live coverage at BWW TV and on Twitter @BWWTVWorld.
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