Glenda Jackson’s life journey is an example of resilience, determination, and determination to use her platform to make positive change.
Well-known British theater and film actress Glenda Jackson has died at the age of 87. A two-time Oscar winner, Jackson took a break from acting to pursue a two-decade career in the British Parliament. He then made a triumphant theater acting comeback.
Jackson died after a “short illness”, according to her agent Lionel Larner.
One of my dearest friends and one of the best actresses in the world has passed away, Larner told NPR.
On May 9, 1936, Jackson was born in Birkenhead, England. According to NPR, she lived in an apartment with an outdoor toilet while growing up working class. But despite her humble origins, she won a scholarship to the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where she now studies acting.
In 1964 she began performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company and won praise for her roles as Ophelia in Hamlet. She later reprised the role on Broadway and in the film version. Jackson’s performance as Charlotte Corday in Marat/Sade was a breakthrough role that established her as a passionate and daring performer.
She once told The New York Times, “I want to take risks, and I want those risks to be wider than the confines of a framework that is just to entertain.
Her film career was the result of her stage triumph. She received two Academy Awards for Best Actress for the 1968 romantic comedies A Touch of Class and Women in Love. She was also nominated for Hedda and Sunday Bloody Sunday.
Jackson’s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in the television series Elizabeth R earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards. Queen Elizabeth II awarded her the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1978.
Of course, the career of an actress in the film is quite short. Plus, according to an interview Jackson gave to NPR, there’s a terrible trough in the theater when there aren’t any worthwhile roles. “Well, until you get to about 60, and then there are a few parts of the character that start to crack. Plus, I just can’t imagine sitting around playing an older woman in a movie for 20 years.”
She was selected to serve in Parliament as the Labor Party representative for the Hampstead and Highgate constituency in London. Under Prime Minister Tony Blair, her party regained control during her tenure as an MP and she was appointed junior transport minister.
During her political career, Jackson took on issues including transportation, women’s rights, homelessness, and disability. She opposed British involvement in the Iraq war and was a harsh critic of the Conservative Party and Margaret Thatcher’s policies.
Jackson made another career change after serving in politics for more than 20 years. She decided not to run for re-election in 2015, saying she was too old and instead returned to acting.
Glenda Jackson’s talent and contribution to art and politics left an indelible mark on the world. Her fearless performances, memorable characters, and commitment to important causes cemented her legacy as a respected figure in British cultural and political history.
Her ability to seamlessly transition between acting and politics demonstrated her multifaceted talent and unwavering determination to make a difference. Whether through her unforgettable performances on stage and screen or her passionate advocacy in the political arena, Jackson has left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.