Glenda Jackson left acting for politics—and then returned
The actress acclaimed on stage and in film died on June 15th, aged 87
Asked what her greatest or her best role was, Glenda Jackson’s reaction was usually a snort or a sigh. Was it Gudrun in “Women in Love” in 1969, blithely doing her amorous eurhythmics in front of a herd of cows? Was it Elizabeth R in the TV series in 1971, an imperious mask of shaven head and white paint? Or was it the asylum patient playing Charlotte Corday in “Marat/Sade” in 1967, falling dazed to her knees to sing a song to Marat, before tenderly contemplating the knife with which she would kill him?
This article appeared in the Obituary section of the print edition under the headline “Her working life”
From the July 1st 2023 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Obituary
David Lynch mesmerised filmgoers with mystery, beauty and horror
America’s strangest and most surreal film-maker died on January 16th, aged 78
Peter Fenwick became the world expert on near-death experiences
The neuropsychiatrist and promoter of “the art of dying” died on November 22nd, aged 89
Chiung Yao taught the Chinese all about romantic love
The bestselling novelist and screenwriter died on December 4th, aged 86
Jimmy Carter was perhaps the most virtuous of all America’s presidents
The humble peanut farmer who went to the White House died on December 29th, aged 100
Brother Harold Palmer lived alone in the wilds by choice
The Northumbrian hermit died on October 4th, aged 93
Shalom Nagar was picked by lottery to kill Adolf Eichmann
The Israeli prison officer turned ritual slaughterer died on November 26th, aged 88