Confirmed news in the public domain is that British star, Glenda Jackson has died at the age of 87 after a short illness.
Her agent, Lionel Larner who confirmed the news to the media said, “One of the world’s greatest actresses has died, and one of my best friends has died as well”.
Jackson served as a member of the House of Commons for 23 years, representing her London area, in addition to having a stellar career that garnered Oscar, Tony, and Emmy honors.
Jackson had three separate acts to her life. Being one of the best actors of her generation was her first and longest performance. She initially gained notoriety in 1964 with the Royal Shakespeare Company when she played Charlotte Corday in Peter Brook’s production of Marat/Sade, which was set in a mental hospital. She was a blazing hot performer which she played the same part in the 1967 movie.
Jackson’s theatrical triumph translated to the big screen. She co-starred with George Segal in the romantic comedy A Touch of Class as well as Ken Russell’s 1969 adaption of the D.H. Lawrence novel Women in Love. She received Oscar nominations for both movies. Other roles included Mary, Queen of Scots and Sunday Bloody Sunday. Additionally, Jackson made her way into people’s homes as Queen Elizabeth I in the BBC series Elizabeth R., for which she received two Emmy awards.
The journey for a woman who lived in an apartment with an outdoor toilet while growing up among the working-class poor outside of Liverpool is super great. Jackson discovered her passion for acting while performing with a club group and ultimately received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
“You learnt that you are your instrument, which is your voice and your shape and how you move, And that can be tuned and toned and kept in trim, ready to actually tackle acting, which is a mysterious process” Jackson told Colin Grimshaw in a 1976 interview.
