Glenda Jackson, Oscar-Winning Actress Turned Politician Dies at 87!
- Actress Glenda Jackson passed away at the age of 87.
- The British actress had won two Oscar Awards in her acting career.
- Jackson died of natural causes in her sleep.
Glenda Jackson passes away at 87
Glenda Jackson, who had a successful six-decade-long acting career passed away on Thursday at her home in Blackheath, London. She was 87.
Jackson gave up her huge film and stage career in her 50s to become a member of the British Parliament.
Despite that, she made a comeback as the little character in King Lear at 80.
Her agent Lionel Larner confirmed the unfortunate news to CNN on Thursday, saying,
“Glenda Jackson, two-time Academy Award-winning actress and politician, 87, died peacefully at her home in London this morning after a short illness with her family by her side,”
“She recently completed filming ‘The Great Escaper’ in which she co-starred with Michael Caine.”
Heartbroken Larner also shared the close bond he shared with the former actress by saying,
“Today we lost one of the world’s greatest actresses and I have lost a best friend of over 50 years,”
Hollywood actor Michael Caine, who was one of Jackson’s last co-stars, called her “one of our greatest movie actresses.”
He added,
“It was a privilege to work with her on The Great Escaper recently, our second film together.”
He continued,
“It was as wonderful an experience this time as it was 50 years ago. I shall miss her,”
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How did Glenda get her first acting gig?
Jackson was born in the northwestern town of Birkenhead in England in 1936.
She had an early interest in acting because of which she joined an amateur theatre group as a young girl. She then won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
After graduation, Glenda starred in London’s West End. She made her Broadway debut in 1995.
Jackson bagged her first Academy Award for Best Actress for her role opposite Oliver Reed in the 1969 movie Women in Love.
Soon after that, she won her second Academy Award for the 1973 romcom A Touch of Class. It came two years after her historical depictions of Queen Elizabeth I in both the BBC’s biographic film Elizabeth R and the historical drama Mary, Queen of Scots.
Glenda’s political career and last film
After winning two Oscars, three Emmys, two Baftas, and a Tony in her acting career, Glenda turned to politics in 1992.
She became a Labour MP at the time and remained in that position for 23 years.
She was appointed a junior transport minister in 1997 and remained there for two years.
In 2000, she made a bid to become mayor of London but lost it to Ken Livingstone.
Despite not achieving high-ranking roles, she was famous for her fearlessness.
Glenda’s last on-screen project The Great Escaper is still in production.
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