British actress Glenda Jackson dies at age 87

British actress Glenda Jackson passed away Thursday at the age of 87. According to her agent, the well-known performer died "peacefully this morning at her home in Blackheath, London, after a brief illness, with her family by her side."

The performer is one of few to receive the Triple Crown of Acting. Born in Birkenhead, England, in 1936, her career in show business began in 1957 when she made her theatrical debut in the play "Separate Tables." Years later, in 1963, she made her first foray into film, where she appeared as a recurring character in the film "This Sporting Life."

In 1970, Glenda Jackson won her first of two Oscars. She won Best Actress for her performance in the film "Women in Love." The second came four years later, in 1974, when Jackson took home the Oscar for her role in "A Touch of Distinction." She was never present at the awards to collect her trophy, and she assured that she simply had them there for her mother to "take the gold out of them by dint of taking the shine off them."

Nevertheless, the awards served to make Jackson a name for herself in the film world. She participated in several film and television productions and, after winning two Oscars, she also won the three Emmys, two of them for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the 1971 fiction, "Elizabeth R" and another for her role in the 1972 series "Shadow in the Sun." She also received a Tony in 2018 for her role in the play "Three Tall Women." For her contribution to the arts, Queen Elizabeth II awarded her the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1978.

She also highlighted her political facet. In 1992, Glenda Jackson left the stage and joined the U.K. Labour Party. She served as a Member of Parliament for 23 years and, between 1997 and 1999, was Minister of Transport under Tony Blair.