Emma Thompson

Dame Emma Thompson, DBE (born 15 April 1959) is a British actress, screenwriter, activist, author, and comedian.

Emma Thompson in 2009

Quotes

• Originally, everything I wrote I wanted to perform, to flesh it out, and I didn't have the courage just to let people read and make their own decisions. I had to do that with this.
  And some of the stuff people really did wonderfully. Pru Scales did a monologue and just transformed it in my eyes — I thought it was rather ordinary and she made it into something really terrific.
  • From an interview, as cited in "Emma inher own write", The Guardian (8 June 1988), p. 27
  • Production of the comedy sketch show Thompson, in which Emma Thompson was the lead performer and only writer, had been completed and the programmes edited. It was transmitted later in 1988.

• Unfortunately sometimes I have to fly, but I don't fly nearly as much as I did, because of my carbon footprint, and I plant a lot of trees. [Interviewer: Do you fly economy, to... reduce your carbon footprint?] I bloody don't, no!
  • Extinction Rebellion protest, 19 April 2019

Golden Globe Award Speech

Speech for Golden Globe for Best adapted screenplay (21 January 1996)

• Thank you very much. Good Heavens. Um, I can't thank you enough, Hollywood Foreign Press, for honouring me in this capacity. I don't wish to burden you with my debts, which are heavy and numerous but, um, I think that everybody involved in the making of this film knows that we owe all our pride and all our joy to the genius of Jane Austen. And, um, it occurred to me to wonder how she would react to an evening like this... [Puts down statue on stage, reads paper] This is what I came up with

• Four a.m., having just returned from an evening at the Golden Spheres, which despite the inconveniences of heat, noise and overcrowding was not without its pleasures. Thankfully, there were no dogs and no children. The gowns were middling. There was a good deal of shouting and behavior verging on the profligate, however, people were very free with their compliments and I made several new acquaintances. There was Lindsay Doran of Mirage, wherever that might be, who is largely responsible for my presence here, an enchanting companion about whom too much good cannot be said. Mr. Ang Lee, of foreign extraction, who most unexpectedly appeared to understand me better than I understand myself. Mr. James Shamis, a most copiously erudite person and Miss Kate Winslet, beautiful in both countenance and spirit. Mr. Pat Doyle, a composer and a Scot, who displayed the kind of wild behaviour one has learned to expect from that race. Mr. Mark Kenton, an energetic person with a ready smile who, as I understand it, owes me a great deal of money. [Breaks character, smiles.] TRUE!! [Back in character.] Miss Lisa Henson of Columbia, a lovely girl and Mr. Garrett Wiggin, a lovely boy. I attempted to converse with Mr. Sydney Pollack, but his charms and wisdom are so generally pleasing, that it proved impossible to get within ten feet of him. The room was full of interesting activity until 11 p.m. when it emptied rather suddenly. The lateness of the hour is due, therefore, not to the dance, but to the waiting in a long line for a horseless carriage of unconscionable size. The modern world has clearly done nothing for transport.

• P.S. Managed to avoid the hoyden Emily Thompkinson, who has purloined my creation and added things of her own. Nefarious Creature!

68th Academy Awards speech (1996)

68th Academy Award Speech after winning best screenplay award Los Angeles, California (March 27, 1996)

• I don't really know how to thank the Academy for this. And if I try we'll be here till Christmas. So I better get on...

• Before I came, I went to visit Jane Austen's grave in Winchester Cathedral to pay my respects, you know, and tell her about the grosses. [Laughter] I don't know how she would react to an evening like this, but I do hope -- I do hope she knows how big she is in Uruguay.

• Profound thanks to Columbia Pictures and the lovely forms of Lisa Henson, Gary Wiggan, and Mark Canter for hiring a first-time writer; to James Shamus for his rare intelligence; to Sidney Pollack for asking all the right questions, like 'Why couldn't these women go out and get a job?' Why, indeed. To the cast and crew, for being impeccable. To my friend and my teacher, Lindsay Doran, for being the single most frustrating reason why I can't claim all the credit for myself. And finally, I would like with your permission to dedicate this Oscar to our director, Ang Lee. Ang, wherever you are, this is for you. [Beaming smile]