Glenda Jackson, Two-Time Oscar Winning Actress, Dies at 87

Oscar winner Glenda Jackson has passed away. Per Deadline, Jackson’s agent, Lionel Larner, confirmed in a statement that the Women in Love star died at her home in London following a brief illness. She was 87 years old.

“Glenda Jackson, two-time Academy Award-winning actress, and politician, died peacefully at her home in Blackheath, London this morning after a brief illness with her family at her side,” the statement reads. “She recently completed filming The Great Escaper in which she co-starred with Michael Caine.”

Born in North West England in 1936, Jackson studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before performing on stage, garnering five Laurence Olivier Award nominations for various productions. She also won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for the 2018 production of Three Tall Women.

With her on-screen work, Jackson was able to win two Oscars. She first picked up the Best Actress award at the Academy Awards for her role in the 1970 film Women in Love and would win the same honor with 1973’s A Touch of Class. The actress also earned a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in 1971’s Sunday Bloody Sunday, and for starring in the TV movie Elizabeth Is Missing, she would win the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress. Her small screen work also earned two Primetime Emmy Awards for playing Elizabeth I in the BBC series Elizabeth R.

Some of Jackson’s other film credits include The Incredible Sarah, The Class of Miss MacMichael, Hopscotch, The Return of the Soldier, King of the Wind, and Mothering Sunday. She also appeared in TV shows like The Muppet Show, Carol & Company, and American Playhouse. Jackson also notably played Patricia Neal in the TV biopic The Patricia Neal Story.

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Glenda Jackson Co-Starred With Michael Caine for Her Final Film

Jackson was also known for her political career, as she was elected as the Labour Party MP for Hampstead and Highgate (later renamed Hampstead and Kilburn) in 1992. The actress would also serve as a Junior Transport Minister from 1997 to 1999. She had taken a hiatus from acting from 1992 until stepping down in 2015, at which point she promptly returned to both the screen and the stage.

Jackson’s final performance was for the upcoming film The Great Escaper, which puts her on the screen alongside fellow Oscar winner Michael Caine. Following Jackson’s passing, Caine released a statement addressing his sorrow over the news while commenting on what it was like to work with the actress on her final project.

“Glenda was one of our greatest movie actresses,” Caine said. “It was a privilege to work with her on The Great Escaper recently, our second film together. It was as wonderful an experience this time as it was 50 years ago. I shall miss her.”

The Great Escaper director Oliver Parker added, “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Glenda’s passing. It was the privilege of a lifetime to work with her. She had such fierce intelligence, such passion, and fearlessness. It is hard to believe that it was less than a month ago that we screened the finished film for her and Michael – she was as feisty and vibrant as ever and we will treasure the memory of that emotional and happy day.”

We offer our condolences to Jackson’s loved ones at this time. Rest in peace, Glenda Jackson.