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IMDbPro

Glenda Jackson(1936-2023)

  • Actress
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,0003069
Glenda Jackson in Saakelin sunnuntai (1971)
Watch Trailer [OV]
Play trailer2:33
The Great Escaper (2023)
10 Videos
99+ Photos
Few in modern British history have come as far or achieved as much from humble beginnings as Glenda Jackson has. From acclaimed actress to respected MP (Member of Parliament), she is known for her high intelligence and meticulous approach to her work. She was born to a working-class household in Birkenhead, where her father was a bricklayer and her mother was a cleaning lady. When she was very young, her father was recruited into the Navy, where he worked aboard a minesweeper. She graduated from school at 16 and worked for a while in a pharmacy. However, she found this boring and dead-end and wanted better for herself. Her life changed forever when she was accepted into the prestigious Royal Acadamy of Dramatic Art (RADA) at the age of 18. Her work impressed all who observed it. In addition, she married Roy Hodges at 22.

Her first work came on the stage, where she won a role in an adaptation of "Separate Tables", and made a positive impression on critics and audiences alike. This led to film roles, modest at first, but she approached them with great determination. She first came to the public's notice when she won a supporting role in the controversial film Jean-Paul Marat'n vaino ja murha Charentonin sairaalan näyttelijäryhmän esittämänä ja herra de Saden ohjaamana (1967), and is acknowledged to have stolen the show. She quickly became a member of Britian's A-List. Her first starring role came in the offbeat drama Negatives (1968), in which she out-shone the oddball material. The following year, controversial director Ken Russell gave her a starring role in his adaptation of the 1920s romance Women in Love - rakastavaisia (1969), in which she co-starred with Oliver Reed. The beautifully photographed film was a major success, and Jackson's performance won her an Academy Award for Best Actress. In the process, she became an international celebrity, known world-wide, yet she didn't place as much value on the status and fame as most do. She did, however, become a major admirer of Russell (who had great admiration for her in return) and acted in more of his films. She starred in the controversial Musiikin rakastajia (1971), even though it required her to do a nude scene, something that made her very uncomfortable. The film was not a success, but she agreed to do a cameo appearance in his next film, The Boy Friend (1971). Although her role as an obnoxious actress was very small, she once again performed with great aplomb.

1971 turned out to be a key year for her. She took a risk by appearing in Saakelin sunnuntai (1971), as a divorced businesswoman in a dead-end affair with a shallow bisexual artist, but the film turned out to be another major success. Also, she accepted the starring role in the British Broadcasting Corporation's much anticipated biography of Queen Elizabeth I, and her performance in the finished film, Kuningatar Elisabet I (1971), was praised not only by critics and fans, but is cited by historians as the most accurate portrayal of the beloved former queen ever seen. The same year, she successfully played the role of Queen Elizabeth I again in the historical drama Kaksi kuningatarta (1971). That same year, she appeared in the popular comedy series The Morecambe & Wise Show (1968) in a skit as Queen Cleopatra, which is considered on of the funniest TV skits in British television, and also proof that she could do comedy just as well as costume melodrama. One who saw and raved about her performance was director Melvin Frank, who proceeded to cast her in the romantic comedy Samppanjaa ja syrjähyppyjä (1973), co-starring George Segal. The two stars had a chemistry which brought out the best in each other, and the film was not only a major hit in both the United States and Great Britian, but won her a second Academy Award. She continued to impress by refusing obvious commercial roles and seeking out serious artistic work. She gave strong performances in The Romantic Englishwoman (1975) and The Incredible Sarah (1976), in which she portrayed the legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt. However, some of her films didn't register with the public, like The Triple Echo (1972), The Maids (1975), and Nasty Habits (1977). In addition, her marriage fell apart in 1976. But her career remained at the top and in 1978 she was named Commander of the Order of the British Empire. That year, she made a comeback in the comedy Kotikäynti (1978), co-starring Walter Matthau. The success of this film which led to a popular television spin-off in the United States the following year. In 1979, she and Segal re-teamed in Lost and Found (1979), but they were unable to overcome the routine script. She again co-starred with Oliver Reed in Mieletön luokka (1978), but the film was another disappointment.

During the 1980s, she appeared in Ruutuhyppelyä (1980) also co-starring Walter Matthau, and Terveydeksi (1980) with Lauren Bacall, with disappointing results, although Jackson herself was never blamed. Her performance in the TV biography Sakharov (1984), in which she played Yelena Bonner, devoted wife of imprisoned Russian nuclear scientist Andrei Sakharov opposite Jason Robards, won rave reviews. However, the next film Paluu vapauteen (1985), was only a modest success, and the ensemble comedy Terapian tarpeessa (1987) was a critical and box office disaster and Jackson herself got some of the worst reviews of her career.

As the 1980s ended, Jackson continued to act, but became more focused on public affairs. She grew up in a household that was staunchly supportive of the Labour Party. She had disliked the policies of Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, even though she admired some of her personal attributes, and strongly disapproved of Thatcher's successor, John Major. She was unhappy with the direction of British government policies, and in 1992 ran for Parliament. Although running in an area (Hampstead and Highgate) which was not heavily supportive of her party, she won by a slim margin and immediately became its most famous newly elective member. However, those who expected that she would rest on her laurels and fame were mistaken. She immediately took an interest in transportation issues, and in 1997 was appointed Junior Transportation Minister by Prime Minister Tony Blair. However, she was critical of some of Blair's policies and is considered an inter-party opponent of Blair's moderate faction. She is considered a traditional Labour Party activist, but is not affiliated with the faction known as The Looney Left. In 2000, she ran for Mayor of London, but lost the Labour nomination to fellow MP Frank Dobson, an ally of Blair's, who then lost the election to an independent candidate, Ken Livingstone. In 2005, she ran again and won the nomination, but lost to Livingstone, winning 38% of the vote. When Blair announced he would not seek reelection as Prime Minister in 2006, Jackson's name was mentioned as a possible successor, although she didn't encourage this speculation. In 2010, she sought reelection to parliament and was almost defeated, winning by only 42 votes. In 2013, she responded to the death of Margaret Thatcher by strongly denouncing her policies, which was condemned by many as graceless. In 2015, elections for parliament were called again but she didn't seek reelection. She was succeeded in Parliament by Chris Philp, a Conservative Party member who had been Jackson's opponent in 2010.
BornMay 9, 1936
DiedJune 15, 2023(87)
BornMay 9, 1936
DiedJune 15, 2023(87)
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,0003069
  • Won 2 Oscars
    • 24 wins & 18 nominations total

Photos102

Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson in The Great Escaper (2023)
Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson in The Romantic Englishwoman (1975)
Glenda Jackson in The Muppet Show (1976)
Glenda Jackson and Jennie Linden in Women in Love - rakastavaisia (1969)
Glenda Jackson in Women in Love - rakastavaisia (1969)
Glenda Jackson in Women in Love - rakastavaisia (1969)
Glenda Jackson in Women in Love - rakastavaisia (1969)
Oliver Reed and Glenda Jackson in Women in Love - rakastavaisia (1969)
Glenda Jackson in Women in Love - rakastavaisia (1969)
Oliver Reed and Glenda Jackson in Women in Love - rakastavaisia (1969)
Glenda Jackson in Women in Love - rakastavaisia (1969)
Glenda Jackson and Jennie Linden in Women in Love - rakastavaisia (1969)

Known for:

Women in Love - rakastavaisia (1969)
Women in Love - rakastavaisia
7.1
  • Gudrun Brangwen
  • 1969
George Segal and Glenda Jackson in Samppanjaa ja syrjähyppyjä (1973)
Samppanjaa ja syrjähyppyjä
6.5
  • Vickie Allessio
  • 1973
Saakelin sunnuntai (1971)
Saakelin sunnuntai
7.0
  • Alex Greville
  • 1971
Kaksi kuningatarta (1971)
Kaksi kuningatarta
7.1
  • Queen Elizabeth
  • 1971

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actress

  • Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson in The Great Escaper (2023)
    The Great Escaper
    7.3
    • Irene Jordan
    • 2023
  • Colin Firth, Olivia Colman, Odessa Young, Josh O'Connor, and Sope Dirisu in Mothering Sunday (2021)
    Mothering Sunday
    6.0
    • Jane (Older)
    • 2021
  • Glenda Jackson in Elizabeth on kadonnut (2019)
    Elizabeth on kadonnut
    7.4
    TV Movie
    • Maud
    • 2019
  • Ken Russell and Glenda Jackson in The Secret Life of Arnold Bax (1992)
    The Secret Life of Arnold Bax
    7.3
    TV Movie
    • Harriet Cohen
    • 1992
  • The Real Story of...
    TV Series
    • Glitch the Witch (voice)
    • 1991
  • Glenda Jackson in The House of Bernarda Alba (1991)
    The House of Bernarda Alba
    7.7
    TV Movie
    • Bernarda
    • 1991
  • Paholaisen siivet (1991)
    Paholaisen siivet
    6.3
    TV Movie
    • Ailsa Brimley
    • 1991
  • Megan Kelly in T.Bag's Christmas Ding Dong (1990)
    T.Bag's Christmas Ding Dong
    7.1
    TV Movie
    • Vanity Bag
    • 1990
  • The Real Story of Humpty Dumpty (1990)
    The Real Story of Humpty Dumpty
    6.2
    Video
    • Glitch the Witch (voice)
    • 1990
  • Carol & Company (1990)
    Carol & Company
    7.4
    TV Series
    • Dr. Doris Kruber
    • 1990
  • King of the Wind (1990)
    King of the Wind
    6.4
    • Queen Caroline
    • 1990
  • Jeremy Coster and Glenda Jackson in Doombeach (1989)
    Doombeach
    6.4
    • Miss
    • 1989
  • The Rainbow (1989)
    The Rainbow
    6.2
    • Anna Brangwen
    • 1989
  • Stratford Johns and Imogen Millais-Scott in Salome's Last Dance (1988)
    Salome's Last Dance
    6.4
    • Herodias
    • Lady Alice
    • 1988
  • Kiistetty oikeus (1988)
    Kiistetty oikeus
    6.0
    • Babs Flynn
    • 1988

Soundtrack

  • Fifty Poems of Emily Dickinson (1997)
    Fifty Poems of Emily Dickinson
    Video
    • performer: "Bustle in a house", "Faith is a fine invention", "Hope is the thing with feathers", "I died for beauty", "I felt a funeral in my brain", "I heard a fly buzz when I died", "I never saw a moor", "I stepped from plank to plank", "If I should die", "Much madness is divinest sense", "Remembrance has a rear and a front", "Bird came down the walk", "Others Poems of Emily Dickinson"
    • 1997
  • Aesop's Fables (1995)
    Aesop's Fables
    10
    Video
    • performer: "Aesop's Fables"
    • 1995
  • Valentines. A Bouquet of Letters and Poetry of Lovers (1994)
    Valentines. A Bouquet of Letters and Poetry of Lovers
    10
    Video
    • performer: "Wild Nights", "If You Were Coming in the Fall", "Heart, We Will Forget Him"
    • 1994
  • Megan Kelly in T.Bag's Christmas Ding Dong (1990)
    T.Bag's Christmas Ding Dong
    7.1
    TV Movie
    • performer: "Act II Aria from the Enchanted Trombone", "The Christmas Fairy"
    • 1990
  • The Great Gonzo, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Fozzie Bear in The Muppet Show (1976)
    The Muppet Show
    8.4
    TV Series
    • performer: "A Capital Ship", "Battle at Sea Medley: Rule, Britannia!/Sailing, Sailing/Anchors Aweigh/El Rancho Grande/Dead Man's Chest" (uncredited)
    • 1980
  • George Segal and Glenda Jackson in Samppanjaa ja syrjähyppyjä (1973)
    Samppanjaa ja syrjähyppyjä
    6.5
    • performer: "She Loves Me, She Told Me So Last Night"
    • 1973
  • The Morecambe & Wise Show (1968)
    The Morecambe & Wise Show
    8.1
    TV Series
    • performer: "Come Into The Garden, Maud" (uncredited), "Cabaret"
    • 1972
  • Saakelin sunnuntai (1971)
    Saakelin sunnuntai
    7.0
    • performer: "Fröhlicher Landmann (The Happy Farmer), Opus 68" (uncredited)
    • 1971
  • Kuningatar Elisabet I (1971)
    Kuningatar Elisabet I
    8.7
    TV Mini Series
    • performer: "My Lady Carey's Dompe" (c. 1520)
    • 1971

Videos10

Trailer [OV]
Trailer 2:33
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Trailer 1:05
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Trailer 2:44
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Trailer 3:05
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Trailer 1:18
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Trailer 3:46
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Sunday Bloody Sunday
Trailer 1:33
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Mary, Queen of Scots
Trailer 3:41
Mary, Queen of Scots
Hopscotch
Trailer 2:57
Hopscotch
Marat/Sade
Trailer 1:57
Marat/Sade

Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • BFI
    • Discogs
  • Alternative names
    • Glenda Jackson CBE MP
  • Height
    • 1.69 m
  • Born
    • May 9, 1936
    • Birkenhead, Cheshire, England, UK
  • Died
    • June 15, 2023
    • Blackheath, London, England, UK(short illness)
  • Spouse
    • Roy Hodges1958 - January 26, 1976 (divorced, 1 child)
  • Children
    • Dan Hodges
  • Parents
      Harry Jackson
  • Other works
    Stage: Starred in "Hedda Gabler" in Australia, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. in a production directed by Peter Nunn, with Peter Eyre, Patrick Stewart, Jennie Linden, Timothy West and Constance Chapman.
  • Publicity listings
    • 2 Print Biographies
    • 1 Portrayal
    • 4 Interviews
    • 6 Articles
    • 10 Pictorials
    • 1 Magazine Cover Photo

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Only British Member of Parliament to win an Oscar.
  • Quotes
    I had no real ambition about acting. But I knew there had to be something better than the bloody chemist's shop.
  • Trademarks
      Playing emancipated women roles
  • Salaries
      Kotikäynti
      (1978)
      $1,000,000

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