Glenda Jackson, the two-time Oscar and Emmy winner who left the craft for several years to pursue British politics – only to return to the stage and win a Tony in 2018 – has died, her agent confirmed. She was 87 years old.
Jackson died peacefully at his London home after a brief illness, with his family by his side, according to Lionel Larner.
“She recently wrapped filming ‘The Great Escaper’ co-starring Michael Caine,” Larner wrote. “Today we lost one of the world’s greatest actresses, and I lost my best friend of over 50 years.”
Jackson won Best Actress in 1969 for “Women in Love,” and followed it up with another in 1973 for “A Touch of Class.” She also won two Emmys for playing Elizabeth I in the BBC mini-series and after a long career in Parliament. returned to the stage for a Tony-winning turn in the 2018 revival of “Three Tall Women.”
Jackson was born in London to working-class parents and ascended to the Royal Shakespeare Company in the mid-1960s, often receiving notice during her four years there. She was nominated for a Tony for her Broadway debut in 1966 after the West End production of “Marat/Sade” ran in New York.
But it was “Women in Love” — including its infamous naked wrestling scene — that shot her to stardom and Oscar fame. He quickly proved it with another win in 1971, this time for a comedic role in “A Touch of Class”.
Jackson retired from acting in 1992 to contest election to the House of Commons, representing Hampstead and Highgate as a member of the Labor Party. She is known for her left-leaning politics and staunch opposition to then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher – which she even ended in death, giving an anti-Thatcher speech to the chamber in 2013.
Citing his age, he retired from politics – only to return to acting and winning awards. She won her first Tony in 2018 and also appeared in the Broadway production of “King Lear”.