Glenda Jacksonwho died at the age of 87, went down in history for having attained fame and reputation as a one of the best actresses of her generation to later enter politics when he was elected in 1992 as a Labor representative and became part of the Tony Blair Government.

Jackson is remembered for films such as “A touch of class” (1973), with George Segal, or “Women in love” (1970), as well as for her famous incarnation of Queen Elizabeth I of England in the British BBC television series broadcast in 1971.

For her performances in the two films, she was awarded two awards. Oscar for best actress.

Great defender of human rights, especially women’s, including access to abortionJackson was sensitive to the social problems of Great Britain, which led him to join the Labor Party in the early 1950s.

From humble beginnings to success in Hollywood

Born on 9 May 1936 in Birkenhead, in North West England, into a working family –his father was a bricklayer and his mother was a cleaner-, Jackson started working in a pharmacy until in 1954 he won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

In August 1958, Jackson married actor Roy Hodges, father of his son Daniel (1969), but the couple divorced in 1976.

His first works were in theater in 1957, such as “Split Tables”, by Terence Rattingan, to great reception from both the public and critics, but between 1958 and 1961 he was unable to find work, which led him to look for a variety of jobs. between them in the cafeteria and answering calls for theater agents.

Later he did various plays in theatre, such as in the plays US (1966), at the Aldwych Theatre, and “Negatives” (1968).

For her performance as Queen Elizabeth I, the actress was praised by critics and also by historians, considering it is the most accurate representation of the queen of England.

After the series appeared on US television, Jackson got an Emmy Award. He also plays a ruler in the film “Mary, Queen of Scots”.

Among other awards in his country, actress awarded BAFTA for her performance in the film “Sunday Bloody Sunday” (1971)in which she played a divorced businesswoman who is in a relationship with a bisexual actress.

Director Melvin Frank was impressed by Jackson’s performance and cast him in the romantic comedy “A Touch of Class”, a film which was a hit in the US and UK, and years later he and Segal reunited in ” Lost and Found».

In 1978, Queen Elizabeth II appointed him Commander of the Order of the British Empire. That year he returned to comedy with “House Calls” (1978), in which he starred opposite Walter Matthau.

social affairs

Despite his success in show business, Jackson has always maintained his commitment to social causes. In 1986 he visited Ethiopia as part of the humanitarian organization Oxfam’s efforts to help relieve hunger in that country, while also involved in the campaign against «apartheid» in South Africa.

A staunch critic of the policies of the former British Conservative Prime Minister Margaret ThatcherJackson decided to retire from acting in 1991 to focus on politics.

A year later, he won a seat for the London constituency Hampstead & Kilburn in the British Parliament in a general election, where the Conservatives – then led by John Major – remained in power.

After Labor’s victory in 1997 – with Tony Blair as leader – Jackson held a position in the Ministry of Transport as Undersecretary of Parliamentbut resigned in 1999.

Overtime, criticized the Blair Executive for his plans to increase university tuition fees and in 2011 he announced that he would not seek re-election in the 2015 election.

Thereafter he returned to acting, with successful performances on the Broadway stage and several brief appearances on television, although he was never quiet about his political opinions, such as when he gave his approval to the new Labor leader, Keir Starmer, but not before. offered him some advice. veteran translator: he should improve his voice. EFE