Glenda Jackson, one of the world’s most beloved actors over the last seven decades, has passed away. The entertainment industry is in grief. Lionel Larner, her agent, confirmed her death in a statement on Thursday (June 15). In the days after, condolences to the legendary actress have continued to stream in.
“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,” he said in a statement. “Today we lost one of the world’s greatest actresses, and I lost a 50-year best friend.”
Jackson continued to work as an actress until her death. Her representative revealed that she had recently completed filming on a new picture, The Great Escaper, with co-star Michael Caine. She has scores of cinema, television, stage, and radio credits to her name, as well as several honors, honors, and achievements.
Following her death, Michael Caine referred to her as ‘one of our best cinema actors.’ He went on to say that working with Glenda Jackson was a “privilege,” noting that this was their second movie together. “It was just as wonderful an experience this time as it was 50 years ago,” he remarked.
Women in Love (1970), Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971), A Touch of Class (1973), Mary, Queen of Scots (1971), Hedda (1975), The Incredible Sarah (1976), and Hopscotch (1980) were among her most successful productions. Between 1991 and 2015, she took a 23-year break from performing to pursue a career in politics.
One of her most notable achievements was becoming one of the few actresses/actors to earn the ‘Triple Crown of Acting,’ which means she won a Tony Award, an Emmy Award, and an Academy Award. She finished her career with one Tony, two Oscars, and three Emmys.
Queen Elizabeth II also made her a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1978, and she married Roy Hodges once between 1958 and 1976. Dan Hodges, a contemporary British newspaper columnist for The Mail on Sunday, is the former couple’s only child.
Glenda Jackson pursued a successful political career during her 23-year absence from playing between 1991 and 2015. She was a Member of Parliament for Hampstead and Kilburn from 1992 to 2015, succeeding Geoffrey Finsberg in 1992 and being succeeded by Tulip Siddiq in 2015.
“I am heartbroken to learn of the death of my predecessor, Glenda Jackson. A tough politician, an amazing performer, and a wonderful mentor to me. Glenda, we will miss you in Hampstead and Kilburn,” Siddiq remarked. She was one of the most popular politicians, and she left some large shoes to fill.
Jackson also served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport under Prime Minister Tony Blair between 1997 and 1999, succeeding John Bowis. She returned to her acting career after her political career ended in April 2015, as if she had never gone.
“I learned of Glenda’s death with great sadness.” Glenda approached her political life with the same zeal as she did her long and famous playing career. “A truly fearless woman who will be sorely missed. My heartfelt condolences to Dan and everyone who knew and loved her,” Blair said.
