Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Glenda Jackson
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Glenda Jackson made an impact.
Glenda Jackson (1936-2023) was a highly accomplished English actress and politician. She achieved 'Triple Crown of Acting' success with two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Tony Award. A Labour Party member, she served as a Member of Parliament for 23 years, representing Hampstead and Highgate (1992-2010) and Hampstead and Kilburn (2010-2015). Her career encompassed both acclaimed stage and screen performances and dedicated public service.
1952: First Acting Appearance
In 1952, Glenda Jackson made her first acting appearance in J. B. Priestley's Mystery of Greenfingers for the YMCA Players in Hoylake.
January 1957: Professional Stage Debut
In January 1957, Glenda Jackson made her professional stage debut in Ted Willis's Doctor in the House at the Connaught Theatre in Worthing.
1958: Period of unemployment as an actress
From 1958, Glenda Jackson went through a period of two and a half years in which she was unable to find acting work, leading her to take on various jobs.
1961: Period of unemployment as an actress ends
By 1961, Glenda Jackson's period of unemployment as an actress ended and she eventually returned to repertory theatre in Dundee.
1963: Film Debut in This Sporting Life
In 1963, Glenda Jackson made her film debut in a bit part in the kitchen sink drama "This Sporting Life".
1965: Performed in Marat/Sade
In 1965, Glenda Jackson played an inmate of an insane asylum portraying Charlotte Corday in Peter Weiss's Marat/Sade. The production also ran on Broadway in 1965.
1966: Broadway Debut in Marat/Sade
In 1966, Glenda Jackson made her Broadway theatre debut in Marat/Sade.
1967: Appeared in Marat/Sade Film Version
In 1967, Glenda Jackson appeared in the film version of Marat/Sade, reprising her role.
1968: Starred in Negatives
In 1968, Glenda Jackson starred in the psychological drama Negatives, which garnered her good reviews.
1969: Starred in Women in Love
In 1969, Glenda Jackson starred in Ken Russell's film adaptation of D. H. Lawrence's Women in Love.
1969: Won Academy Award for Women in Love
In 1969, Glenda Jackson won her first Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the film "Women in Love".
1970: Starred in The Music Lovers
In 1970, Glenda Jackson starred in The Music Lovers, directed by Ken Russell.
March 1971: The Music Lovers Reached No. 1 in the UK
In March 1971, The Music Lovers, starring Glenda Jackson, reached No. 1 in the UK's weekly rankings.
December 1971: Premiere of Mary, Queen of Scots
In December 1971, "Mary, Queen of Scots" was premièred in Los Angeles.
1971: Starred in Elizabeth R
In 1971, Glenda Jackson shaved her head to play Queen Elizabeth I in the BBC serial Elizabeth R. She also played Queen Elizabeth in Mary, Queen of Scots, gaining an Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA Award for Sunday Bloody Sunday.
1971: Won BAFTA Award for Sunday Bloody Sunday
In 1971, Glenda Jackson won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in "Sunday Bloody Sunday".
1972: Royal Film Performance of Mary, Queen of Scots
In 1972, the Royal Film Performance in Britain was "Mary, Queen of Scots", attended by the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon.
June 1973: A Touch of Class Reached No. 1 in the UK
In June 1973, "A Touch of Class", starring Glenda Jackson, was a UK box-office No. 1.
1973: Won Academy Award for A Touch of Class
In 1973, Glenda Jackson won her second Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in "A Touch of Class".
February 1974: Won Academy Award for A Touch of Class
In February 1974, Glenda Jackson won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "A Touch of Class".
October 1974: Supported Women's Rights Candidacy
In October 1974, Glenda Jackson supported Una Kroll's Women's Rights candidacy for Sutton and Cheam in the United Kingdom general election.
1975: Starred in Hedda
In 1975, Glenda Jackson starred in the film "Hedda", adding to her list of notable film roles.
1975: Starred in The Romantic Englishwoman
In 1975, Glenda Jackson starred with Michael Caine in "The Romantic Englishwoman."
1975: Voted against Britain continuing in the European Economic Community
In 1975, Jackson voted against Britain continuing in the European Economic Community during the United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum.
1976: Starred in The Incredible Sarah
In 1976, Glenda Jackson starred in "The Incredible Sarah", continuing her work in notable films.
1977: Olivier Award Nomination for Stevie
In 1977, Glenda Jackson received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her West End theatre role in Stevie.
1978: Supported Anti-Nazi League and Oxfam
In 1978, Glenda Jackson sponsored the Anti-Nazi League and appeared in an Oxfam print advertisement.
1978: Starred in House Calls and Stevie
In 1978, Glenda Jackson starred in both "House Calls" and "Stevie", adding to her repertoire of film roles.
1979: Olivier Award Nomination for Antony and Cleopatra
In 1979, Glenda Jackson received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her West End theatre role in Antony and Cleopatra.
1979: Starred in Lost and Found
In 1979, Glenda Jackson reunited with her A Touch of Class colleagues Segal and Frank for the romantic comedy Lost and Found.
1980: Starred in Hopscotch
In 1980, Glenda Jackson and Matthau teamed again in the comedy Hopscotch.
1980: Appearance on The Muppet Show
In 1980, Glenda Jackson appeared on The Muppet Show, performing any material the producers liked and portraying a pirate captain who takes over the Muppet Theatre.
1980: Olivier Award Nomination for Rose
In 1980, Glenda Jackson received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her West End theatre role in Rose.
1981: Information Film for the Blood Transfusion Service
In 1981, Glenda Jackson and Eric Wise appeared in an information film for the Blood Transfusion Service.
1981: Tony Nomination for Rose
In 1981, Glenda Jackson received a Tony nomination for her work in Rose on Broadway.
1981: Broadway Appearance in Rose
In 1981, Glenda Jackson returned to Broadway in Andrew Davies's Rose opposite Jessica Tandy, receiving Tony nominations for their roles.
November 1984: Appeared in Phedra at The Old Vic
In November 1984, Glenda Jackson appeared in the title role of Robert David MacDonald's English translation of Racine's Phèdre, titled Phedra, at The Old Vic.
1984: Played Galactia in radio play
In 1984, Glenda Jackson played Galactia in Howard Barker's radio play, which was later adapted into a stage play.
1984: Olivier Award Nomination for Strange Interlude
In 1984, Glenda Jackson received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her West End theatre role in Strange Interlude.
1985: Played Nina Leeds in Strange Interlude
In 1985, Glenda Jackson played Nina Leeds in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's Strange Interlude at the Nederlander Theatre.
1985: Tony Nomination for Strange Interlude
In 1985, Glenda Jackson received a Tony nomination for her work in Strange Interlude on Broadway.
1985: Criticism of Militant tendency
In 1985, Jackson labeled Militant and Derek Hatton's politics as "self-indulgent crap", and she sent leader Neil Kinnock a congratulatory telegram after his 1985 Labour Party Conference speech, in which he criticised the activities of Militant and their allies.
1986: Visited Ethiopia with Oxfam
In 1986, Glenda Jackson visited Ethiopia as part of Oxfam's efforts to help with the famine.
September 1988: Chaired UN committee on cultural boycott
In September 1988, Glenda Jackson chaired a United Nations committee on the cultural boycott.
1988: Tony Nomination for Macbeth
In 1988, Glenda Jackson received a Tony nomination for her work in Macbeth on Broadway.
1988: Broadcast of Strange Interlude on American Playhouse
In 1988, Herbert Wise directed the drama "Strange Interlude" on television, where it was first broadcast in the US as part of PBS's American Playhouse.
1989: Appeared in The Rainbow and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
In 1989, Glenda Jackson appeared in Ken Russell's "The Rainbow" as Anna Brangwen, and played Martha in Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" in Los Angeles.
1989: Approached Voluntary Service Overseas
In 1989, Glenda Jackson approached Voluntary Service Overseas about working in Africa.
1990: Performed in Scenes from an Execution
In 1990, Glenda Jackson performed the lead role in Howard Barker's "Scenes from an Execution" at the Almeida Theatre, an adaptation of the 1984 radio play where she played the same role.
1991: Retired from acting to focus on politics
In 1991, Glenda Jackson retired from acting to devote herself to politics full-time as the prospective parliamentary candidate for Hampstead and Highgate.
1992: Gained the seat for Hampstead and Highgate
In 1992, Glenda Jackson gained the seat for Hampstead and Highgate, narrowly beating the Conservative candidate Oliver Letwin.
1992: Elected as MP
In 1992, Glenda Jackson was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Hampstead and Highgate at the general election, beginning her transition from acting to politics.
1992: Supported John Smith in Labour leadership election
In 1992, Jackson supported John Smith in the Labour Party leadership election.
1994: Backed Tony Blair for leadership
In 1994, Jackson backed Tony Blair in the Labour Party leadership election, who subsequently became prime minister.
July 1996: Became shadow transport minister
In July 1996, Glenda Jackson became shadow transport minister, the first of Labour's 1992 intake to join the front bench.
1997: Junior Transport Minister
From 1997, Glenda Jackson was a junior transport minister, during the first Blair ministry.
1997: Re-elected and appointed junior minister
In 1997, following Labour's landslide victory, Glenda Jackson was re-elected and appointed as a junior minister in Tony Blair's government, with responsibility in the London Regional Transport.
1997: Received absolute majority of votes cast
The 1997 election was the only election where Glenda Jackson received an absolute majority of votes cast in the constituency.
1999: End of role as Junior Transport Minister
In 1999, Glenda Jackson ceased being a junior transport minister, having served since 1997 during the first Blair ministry.
1999: Resigned from junior minister post
In 1999, Glenda Jackson resigned from her post as a junior minister in Tony Blair's government.
2000: Unsuccessful mayoral candidate
In 2000, Glenda Jackson unsuccessfully attempted to be nominated as the Labour candidate for the election of the first mayor of London.
2001: Re-elected to represent her constituency
In 2001, Glenda Jackson was once again re-elected to represent her constituency at the general election.
2008: Support for Gordon Brown as prime minister
In 2008, Jackson voiced her support for Tony Blair's successor Gordon Brown as prime minister.
May 2010: Elected as MP for Hampstead and Kilburn
On 6 May 2010, Glenda Jackson was elected as the MP for the new Hampstead and Kilburn constituency by a narrow margin.
2010: Represented Hampstead and Kilburn
In 2010, Glenda Jackson represented Hampstead and Kilburn after constituency boundary changes.
2010: Voted for David Miliband in leadership election
In 2010, Jackson voted for David Miliband in the Labour Party leadership election.
April 2013: Speech in House of Commons on Margaret Thatcher's death
In April 2013, Glenda Jackson delivered a speech in the House of Commons following Margaret Thatcher's death, which went viral. She criticized Thatcherism for treating "vices as virtues" and blamed it for increased unemployment, homelessness, underfunded schools, and mental hospital closures.
June 2014: Scathing assessment of Iain Duncan Smith
In June 2014, another speech of Jackson's went viral when she gave a scathing assessment of Iain Duncan Smith's tenure as Work and Pensions Secretary, blaming him for the "destruction of the welfare state" and his department's incompetence.
November 2015: Returned to Acting in Blood, Sex and Money
In November 2015, Glenda Jackson returned to acting after a 23-year absence, taking the lead role of Dide in "Blood, Sex and Money", a radio drama series.
2015: Stood Down as MP and Returned to Acting
In 2015, Glenda Jackson stood down as MP at the general election and subsequently returned to acting.
2015: Supported Jeremy Corbyn as a person, but would not have voted for him
In 2015, following her departure from Parliament, Jackson stated that she supported Jeremy Corbyn "as a person", and would have nominated him in the 2015 leadership election, but clarified she never would have voted for him.
October 2016: Continued in Blood, Sex and Money
In October 2016, Glenda Jackson continued her role as Dide in the radio drama series "Blood, Sex and Money", which aired on Radio 4.
2016: Role in King Lear after 25-year Absence
In 2016, Glenda Jackson played in King Lear, her first role after a 25-year absence from acting.
2016: Supported remaining in the European Union
In 2016, Jackson supported Britain remaining in the European Union in the Brexit referendum.
2018: Returned to Broadway in Three Tall Women
In 2018, Glenda Jackson returned to Broadway in a revival of Edward Albee's "Three Tall Women", earning her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.
2018: Tony Award for Three Tall Women
In 2018, Glenda Jackson won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role in the revival of Edward Albee's Three Tall Women.
April 2019: Returned to Title Role of King Lear on Broadway
In April 2019, Glenda Jackson returned to the title role of "King Lear" on Broadway in a new production.
2019: Won BAFTA and International Emmy for Elizabeth Is Missing
In 2019, Glenda Jackson received both the BAFTA Award and International Emmy Award for her performance in "Elizabeth Is Missing".
2019: King Lear on Broadway
In 2019, Glenda Jackson reprised her role in King Lear on Broadway.
February 2020: Starred in Fault Lines
In February 2020, Glenda Jackson starred in the lead role of Constance Sterling in the radio drama series "Fault Lines: Money, Sex and Blood" for Radio 4.
July 2020: Declared happiness with Keir Starmer as leader
In July 2020, Jackson declared herself happy with Keir Starmer as Labour party leader.
February 2021: Starred in The Great Escaper
In February 2021, it was reported that Glenda Jackson would star with Michael Caine in "The Great Escaper", a film about Bernard Jordan's D-Day commemoration escape.
January 2022: Continued Starring in Fault Lines
In January 2022, Glenda Jackson continued starring as Constance Sterling in the radio drama series "Fault Lines: Money, Sex and Blood" for Radio 4, concluding her role.
July 2022: Commented on Keir Starmer's voice
In July 2022, Jackson commented on Keir Starmer, saying she wished he would get help developing his voice, calling it one of his big drawbacks.
July 2022: British Film Institute Retrospective
In July 2022, the British Film Institute celebrated Glenda Jackson's film and television career with a month-long retrospective season at the BFI Southbank in London.
September 2022: Completed filming The Great Escaper
In September 2022, Glenda Jackson completed filming on "The Great Escaper", which was to be her last film.
October 2023: The Great Escaper was released
On October 6, 2023, The Great Escaper, Glenda Jackson's last film, was released.
