Oscar winning actress Glenda Jackson has died, aged 87.
In a statement, via BBC News her agent Lionel Larner said she passed away after a brief illness.
He added: “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.”
Jackson became an international star in the 1970s, winning Academy Awards for the 1969 film Women In Love and 1973’s A Touch of Class.
She also famously starred as Queen Elizabeth I in the BBC drama Elizabeth R from 1971.
Jackson gave up acting to join the House of Commons as a Labour MP in north London from 1992 to 2015 before she later returned to acting. She won a Bafta for her comeback role in the TV drama Elizabeth Is Missing in 2020.
A host of political figures and people from the entertainment world have been paying their respects to Jackson.
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. pic.twitter.com/X7JzgrzLDR
— Tulip Siddiq (@TulipSiddiq) June 15, 2023
Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, who sits in Jackson’s former seat, tweeted: “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.”
Former Labour MP Diane Abbott added: “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.”
Alastair Campbell, who served under various high profile roles under Tony Blair’s government, also hailed Jackson.
He wrote: “Sad to hear that Glenda Jackson has died. One of the finest actresses of our lifetime, our local MP and for a time minister in TB government. I sometimes felt she found the transition to politics harder than she expected. But a great life well lived.”
Labour MP Chris Bryant added: “Really saddened to hear that Glenda Jackson has died. She was a great actor and I loved campaigning for her in Hampstead and Highgate. My thoughts are with her son Dan.”
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 @DPJHodges pic.twitter.com/tlhNHFYGgD
— Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) June 15, 2023
Sad to hear that Glenda Jackson has died. One of the finest actresses of our lifetime, our local MP and for a time minister in TB government. I sometimes felt she found the transition to politics harder than she expected. But a great life well lived 1/2
— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) June 15, 2023
Elsewhere, comedian David Baddiel praised the late actor and pointed to a particular highlight featuring Morecambe And Wise.
He 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.”
TV presenter Carol Vorderman meanwhile 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.”
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. pic.twitter.com/LWPdEn32lF
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) June 15, 2023
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 Peacehttps://t.co/i3eO9E53Ef
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) June 15, 2023
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