News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Glenda Jackson Headshot

Glenda Jackson

Get Glenda Jackson Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Glenda May Jackson was born on 9 May 1936 in Birkenhead, in Wirral, the daughter of a bricklayer. She joined a YMCA drama group and two years later, she won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).



She joined the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in 1964. A year later, her big breakthrough came in Peter Brook's stage production of Marat/Sade. Jackson transferred with the production to Broadway.


In 1976 she returned to the RSC in the title role of Ibsen's Hedda Gabler, directed by Trevor Nunn. She was Oscar-nominated for the subsequent film version, which Nunn also directed.

Glenda Jackson has won the Academy Award for Best Actress twice, receiving the first for her role as Gudrun Brangwen in the romantic drama film Women in Love (1970) and the second for her role as Vickie Allessio in the romantic comedy film A Touch of Class (1973). She also garnered praise for her performances as Alex Greville in the drama film Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971) and Elizabeth I in the BBC television serial Elizabeth R (1971), winning two Primetime Emmy Awards for the latter. In 2018, she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role in a revival of Edward Albee's Three Tall Women, thus becoming one of the few performers to have achieved the "Triple Crown of Acting" in the US.

Jackson took a hiatus from acting to take on a career in politics from 1992 to 2015, and was elected as the Labour Party MP for Hampstead and Highgate in the 1992 general election. She served as a junior transport minister from 1997 to 1999 during the government of Tony Blair, later becoming critical of Blair. After constituency-boundary changes, she represented Hampstead and Kilburn from 2010. In the 2010 general election, her majority of 42 votes was one of the closest results of the entire election. She stood down at the 2015 general election.

She later returned to the screen, In 2016 - a full quarter of a century after last treading the boards - took on the role of King Lear at the Old Vic. Two years later, she won a Tony Award on Broadway in a revival of Edward Albee's Three Tall Women.

She went on to win a Bafta for her role in the TV drama Elizabeth Is Missing in 2020. She recently completed filming The Great Escaper in which she co-starred with Michael Caine.

Jackson died at age 87 in June 2023.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2019
King Lear

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2018
A

[West End]
Old Vic Revival Production, 2016
King Lear [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1988
Lady Macbeth

[Broadway]
1985
Nina Leeds

[Broadway]
1981
Rose

[West End]
Original London Production, 1966
Performer


Movies

Marat/Sade
[ 1967 ] Charlotte Corday
Negatives
[ 1968 ] Vivien
Women in Love
[ 1969 ] Gudrun Brangwen
Sunday Bloody Sunday
[ 1971 ] Alex Greville
The Music Lovers
[ 1971 ] Nina Antonina Milyukova
Mary, Queen of Scots
[ 1971 ] Queen Elizabeth
The Triple Echo
[ 1972 ] Alice
The Nelson Affair
[ 1973 ] Lady Hamilton
A Touch of Class
[ 1973 ] Vickie Allessio
The Devil Is a Woman
[ 1974 ] Sister Geraldine
The Romantic Englishwoman
[ 1975 ] Elizabeth
Hedda
[ 1975 ] Hedda
The Maids
[ 1975 ] Solange
The Incredible Sarah
[ 1976 ] Sarah Bernhardt
Nasty Habits
[ 1977 ] Alexandra
House Calls
[ 1978 ] Ann Atkinson
The Class of Miss MacMichael
[ 1978 ] Conor MacMichael
Stevie
[ 1978 ] Stevie
Lost and Found
[ 1979 ] Tricia
HealtH
[ 1980 ] Isabella Garnell
Hopscotch
[ 1980 ] Isobel von Schönenberg
The Return of the Soldier
[ 1982 ] Margaret Grey
Giro City
[ 1982 ] Sophie
Turtle Diary
[ 1985 ] Neaera Duncan
Beyond Therapy
[ 1987 ] Charlotte
Business as Usual
[ 1988 ] Babs Flynn
Salome's Last Dance
[ 1988 ] Herodi, Lady Alice
The Rainbow
[ 1989 ] Anna Brangwen
Doombeach
[ 1989 ] Miss
King of the Wind
[ 1990 ] Queen Caroline
Mothering Sunday
[ 2021 ] Jane Older

Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Glenda Jackson, King Lear


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2018 - Best Leading Actress in a Play

Glenda Jackson, Three Tall Women


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Glenda Jackson, Three Tall Women


winner
Drama League Awards - 2018 - Distinguished Performance Award

Glenda Jackson, Three Tall Women


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Glenda Jackson, Three Tall Women


winner
Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Glenda Jackson, Three Tall Women

Olivier Awards - 2017 - Best Actress

Glenda Jackson, King Lear

Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Glenda Jackson, Macbeth

Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Glenda Jackson , Macbeth

Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Glenda Jackson, Strange Interlude

Olivier Awards - 1984 - Actress of the Year in a Revival

Glenda JacksonStrange Interlude

Tony Awards - 1981 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Glenda Jackson, Rose

Olivier Awards - 1980 - Actress of the Year in a New Play

Glenda JacksonRose

Olivier Awards - 1979 - Actress of the Year in a Revival

Glenda JacksonAntony And Cleopatra

Olivier Awards - 1977 - Actress of the Year in a New Play

Glenda JacksonStevie

Tony Awards - 1966 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Glenda Jackson, Marat/Sade

Videos

News


Stage and Screen Actor Timothy West Dies at Age 90

BroadwayWorld is sad to report that Timothy Lancaster West, CBE, stage and screen actor, has died at age 90. Read the full obituary for Timothy West here.
Norm Lewis and Nona Hendryx Will Headline Theater Resources Unlimited's 2024 TRU Love Benefit

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) will present their first live gala since 2019, the 2024 TRU Love Benefit: Passion...Pass It On! this month. Learn more about the benefit and how to get tickets here!
Theater Resources Unlimited 2024 TRU Love Benefit: PASSION...PASS IT ON!

Theater Resources Unlimited has announced their 2024 TRU Love Benefit, featuring Norm Lewis and Nona Hendryx, on November 17 at Green Room 42 in NYC.
Meet the Cast of OUR TOWN, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway

Thornton Wilder’s Our Town will begin previews on Tuesday, September 17 ahead of an opening on Thursday, October 10 at the Barrymore Theatre for a strictly limited engagement. Meet the cast of Our Town here!
Review: KING LEAR at Little Theatre, University Of Adelaide

A triumph for the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild
Ariana DeBose, Rachel Brosnahan, & More Join Cast of Shakespeare Film LEAR REX

A plethora of new names have joined the upcoming film adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear, including a number that will be familiar to Broadway audiences, such as Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose and Emmy winner Rachel Brosnahan. 
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA: A DREAM OF PASSION To Have World Premiere At The Divine

Discover the world premiere of ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA: A DREAM OF PASSION, a new theatrical production exploring the timeless love story with a fresh perspective.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 9, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 9, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS Begins This Weekend At Deaf Austin Theatre!

Join us as a renowned film and stage actor returns home for a performance in TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS with Deaf Austin Theatre. Experience a captivating display of talent and passion.
Elizabeth Marvel to Star in US Premiere of MEDEA at Red Bull Theater

Join Elizabeth Marvel in MEDEA, a unique adaptation by Ben Power, directed by Daniel Fish, as part of Red Bull Theater's 20th Anniversary Festival. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Rachel Zegler & Kit Connor Will Star in Sam Gold-Directed ROMEO + JULIET on Broadway

Following yesterday's social media tease, BroadwayWorld can confirm Rachel Zegler (Steven Spielberg's West Side Story) and Kit Connor (Netflix's Heartstopper) will star as Juliet and Romeo respectively in a revival of William Shakespeare's most famous play on Broadway this fall.
Review: Heartbeat's Bio-Version EUGENE ONEGIN Dazzles under Director/Designer Dustin Wills

If you cross the traditional EUGENE ONEGIN by Tchaikovsky (great even when overfilled with drama and, yes, music music music, with Konstantin Shilovsky’s co-libretto) with a touch of Ken Russell’s 1971 “The Music Lovers” (the overwrought bio-pic of Tchaikovsky with Richard Chamberlin and Glenda Jackson as his patron and wife that took the composer out of the closet for anyone who didn’t know he was there), and you might have an idea of what Heartbeat Opera’s version of the opera-cum-composer’s tale is like.
Meet the Cast of UNCLE VANYA, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway

Uncle Vayna is back this season courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater. This version of the play features a new translation by Heidi Schreck and is directed by Lila Neugebauer.  Meet the cast of Uncle Vanya here!
Patrick Page, Reeve Carney, Santino Fontana & More to Lead Red Bull Theater's 20th Anniversary Festival

RED BULL THEATER has revealed details for the upcoming 20th Anniversary Festival, an all-star series of workshops and readings of Shakespeare, his contemporaries, & more. See who is starring, and learn how to purchase tickets.
Review Roundup: National Theatre's THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA

Read the reviews for The House of Bernarda Alba at the National Theatre.
Steve Carell Will Make His Broadway Debut in UNCLE VANYA; Additional Cast Revealed!

Steve Carell is headed to Broadway! The actor, best known for starring in the television series The Office, will make his Broadway debut in Lincoln Center Theater's upcoming production of Anton Chekhov’s classic UNCLE VANYA. Find out more information about the production here!
Michael Imperioli Will Make Broadway Debut in AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE

Emmy & SAG Award winner Michael Imperioli will make his Broadway debut opposite Jeremy Strong in AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE. We have all the details on when the play will arrive, which theatre it will play, and more!
Review: KING LEAR, Wyndham's Theatre

Alarm bells ring when a director stars in the play they are also directing. Even if that director is Sir Kenneth Branagh. Nine times out of ten the production falls flat and the audience are left wondering if ego is to blame. Branagh’s hotly anticipated stab at King Lear is, sadly, no exception.
Review: BATTERSEA BARDOT, New Wimbledon Theatre Studio

Anne Rabbitt plays the British movie star who burned out too soon in the cauldron of Hollywood's casting couch environment of the 60s.
Interview: Michael Coveney on THE FINAL CURTAIN: 'Describing Any of These Great Actors in an Obituary is Like Pinning Butterflies to Walls'

Death is not the end - at least, if there is a journalist on hand to tell the world of your deeds. Michael Coveney is best known for his work as a theatre critic at the Daily Mail, Financial Times, The Guardian and Observer alongside which he wrote a series of obituaries covering many of the most famous actors of the last century.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Glenda Jackson been in?

Glenda Jackson has appeared on Broadway in 7 shows.

How many West End shows has Glenda Jackson been in?

Glenda Jackson has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Glenda Jackson's first West End show?

Glenda Jackson's first West End show was Us which opened in

What awards has Glenda Jackson been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for King Lear, Best Leading Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Three Tall Women, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Three Tall Women, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Three Tall Women, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Three Tall Women, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Three Tall Women, Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for King Lear, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Macbeth, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Macbeth, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Strange Interlude, Actress of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for Strange Interlude, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Rose, Actress of the Year in a New Play (Olivier Awards) for Rose, Actress of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for Antony And Cleopatra, Actress of the Year in a New Play (Olivier Awards) for Stevie and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Marat/Sade.

What awards has Glenda Jackson won?

Best Leading Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Three Tall Women, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Three Tall Women, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Three Tall Women, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Three Tall Women, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Three Tall Women.

Get Glenda Jackson Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos