Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch

Glenda Jackson, Oscar-winning star of Women in Love and A Touch of Class, dies at 87

The prolific actress of the sexual revolution of the 70s and former British politician passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family.

Glenda Jackson, whose illustrious career spanned from classic feature films like Sunday Bloody Sunday, Women in Love and A Touch of Class to a political career at the British Parliament, passed peacefully this morning at her home in London. She was 87. Jackson was said to be battling a recent illness. She has transitioned to the civil service from movies, but will still appear in one final film project. She just finished her scenes opposite Sir Michael Caine for a movie called The Great Escaper. Variety reports that Lionel Larner, Jackson’s agent, released an official statement. Larner states in the statement that Jackson died peacefully after a short illness at her Blackheath home, London, this morning. Her family was by her side. She recently finished filming

The Great Escaper where she co-starred alongside Michael Caine.” In additional to films, Glenda had gained acclaim in her work on stage, in such productions Hedda Gabler

, Strange interlude, and Who is Afraid Of Virginia Woolf. In 1964, Jackson would join the Royal Shakespeare Company and worked for four years on a number of works with influential director Peter Brook, which had included Peter Weiss’ Marat/Sade in 1965. This production would also be performed in Paris and Broadway. Jackson became an arthouse sex icon in 1970’s Women In Love. She was a prominent figure of the sexual revolution. Gudrun Brangwen, a complex and multi-layered character, displayed a confidence and self assurance that made her a strong interpretation of what female sexual symbols were considered at that time. The film was revolutionary because she refused to be submissive, and showed a woman who would stand up for her own desires. The film would be directed by Ken Russell, produced/written Larry Kramer, and novelist D.H. Lawrence. She won the election and would serve as a MP for over 20 years. Jackson and Tony Blair would have a famous clash over Tony Blair’s education plans and the Iraq war. In October 2006 she was one 12 Labour MPs who called for an investigation into the war. Jackson gave a passionate speech in parliament at the time of Margret Thatcher’s passing in 2013, accusing Thatcher of treating “vices as virtues” and stated that Thatcher’s policies created decades of unemployment and homelessness.

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Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch