Emma Thompson was born on April 15, 1959 in the small London district of Paddington, England. Her family was rooted in the performing arts: her late father, Eric Thompson, was an actor and stage director and her mother, Phyllida Law, is a film and television actress.

After a childhood spent at Camden School for Girls in North London, girl was accepted at Cambridge University's Newnham College. Although she studied English Literature, hoping to be a writer, Emma got involved with the school's theater troupe, the Footlights, with would-be actors Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry.

Emma was such an energetic performer that it was obvious she was born to perform. One day, talent agent Richard Armitage saw her show and offered to be her agent. Thompson signed on even though she would have to juggle school and acting for two more years.

In 1982, she left Cambridge with her degree. Being extremely witty and perversely funny, she became a standup comic. This wasn't the kind of work that paid the bills however, and she sought other employment. In 1983, she joined her old friends Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry on the set of a new comedy series called Alfresco.

After 13 episodes, the show was canceled. This gave Thompson the opportunity to return to theater. During this period, Emma starred in the one-woman show Short Vehicle at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1983. Two years later, she played Sally Smith in the West End revival of Me and My Girl with Robert Lindsay. It was a huge success and offers came pouring in for Emma.

In 1987, actress appeared in the TV series "Tutti Frutti" and the miniseries "Fortunes of War", with Kenneth Branagh; these two roles earned her a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress. The following year, she was cast in Thompson along with then boyfriend Kenneth Branagh, but it was a total flop even though she was the head writer.

After appearing in "The Tall Guy" (1989) with Jeff Goldblum, Emma starred as the lead female in Branagh's film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry V" (1989). Not only did the movie receive several Oscar nominations, it also introduced American audiences to Emma Thompson.