Oscar-winning actress and ex-Labour MP Glenda Jackson dies after 'brief illness'
Oscar-winning actress and former Labour MP Glenda Jackson has died aged 87 after a 'brief illness'.
In a statement, her agent Lionel Larner said: “‘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.
“She recently completed filming ‘The Great Escaper’ in which she co-starred with Michael Caine.”
Glenda was a Labour MP, first for Hampstead and Highgate then for Hampstead and Kilburn, from 1992 until 2015, when she stood down.
She has also had a successful career as an actress, winning three Emmy awards.
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Glenda has died aged 87 (Getty Images)
The Academy Award winning actress died peacefully at home (Getty Images)Glenda found fame in 1969 Oscar-winning drama Women in Love, alongside Oliver Reed.
She twice played Queen Elizabeth I but also loved lighthearted stuff, famously appearing alongside “utter pros” Morecambe and Wise.
Current Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, Tulip Siddiq said: "Devastated to hear that my predecessor Glenda Jackson has died. A formidable politician, an amazing actress and a very supportive mentor to me. Hampstead and Kilburn will miss you Glenda."
David Baddiel wrote: "I know she achieved extraordinary heights in many fields, but the thing I will always love Glenda Jackson for is unironically saying in a radio interview that she felt the height of her acting career was performing with Morecambe And Wise."
Countdown star Carol Vorderman added: "A part of my growing up years...Watching the Oscar winning actress Glenda Jackson be her extraordinary self.
"And then to see this unique woman turn into a firebrand in politics was deeply impressive for young girls like me. May she Rest In Peace."
Labour MP Diane Abbott wrote: "Very sad to hear of the death of Glenda Jackson. I served alongside her in Parliament for many years. She was a kind and extremely principled woman."
Before her death, Glenda admitted she wasn't sentimental about her career but is happy to fight for women in male-dominated industries.
Glenda was an MP for 23 years (Getty Images)She said: “Every time I finished a job I was convinced I was never going to work again, but it’s an overcrowded profession and women are not prioritised.
“I remember wondering if I’d be able to afford to pay Friday’s milk bills.
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“I came from working class and it was very simple – if you didn’t work you didn’t eat. I will keep on doing those roles as long as they get offered to me.”
In one of Glenda's last roles, she played a dementia sufferer in acclaimed TV film Elizabeth Is Missing.
Her character Maud struggles to make sense of her friend Elizabeth’s disappearance.
It highlighted the trauma of dementia and the effect on families – an issue which former Labour MP Glenda said political parties must unite to tackle.
During her 23 years as MP, Glenda visited people’s homes and saw families desolated by the illness which helped mould her honest depiction of Maud.
Glenda played many roles over her career including Queen Elizabeth I (Getty Images)
The actress feared she might get dementia (WireImage)The role earned her an Emmy and a BAFTA.
However, the double Oscar-winner told the Sunday Mirror she wouldn’t be surprised if she, too, got dementia.
She added: “I don’t worry but I do find I can’t remember names sometimes. I went into the kitchen half an hour ago and I stood at the door and thought, ‘Why am I here?’”
Glenda kept her mind razor sharp and alleviated lockdown boredom with two of her favourite pastimes – crosswords and housekeeping.
She lived in a granny flat in Blackheath, South London, with journalist son Dan Hodges, his wife and their son son living upstairs and fetching her meals.
In 2021, Glenda revealed she was on a waiting list for treatment which had been delayed since the pandemic. She needed a new hip after breaking hers 12 years ago.
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