Actress Diana Rigg, best known for her portrayal of Emma Peel in the 1960's U.K. TV series The Avengers, passed away today of cancer. She was 82.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art along with Glenda Jackson, Rigg cut her teeth in the theater before joining the cast of The Avengers in 1965 replacing Honor Blackman (who sadly passed away earlier this year) who was cast as Pussy Galore in the James Bond film Goldfinger.
Although Rigg was only on The Avengers for two of its six seasons, her portrayal of Peel as an independent, glamorous yet tough as nails babe along with her screen chemistry with co-star Patrick Macnee won her and the show immense popularity on both sides of the Atlantic.
Like Blackman, Rigg would leave the series when James Bond came calling. She appeared as Tracy Bond, the doomed wife of 007 in On Her Majesty's Secret Service featuring George Lazenby in the title role. In 1973, Rigg was the star of the short-lived NBC sitcom Diana.
Rigg worked steadily in film, TV and on stage over the next four decades. She appeared as Lady Holiday in The Great Muppet Caper, won a Tony Award for Best Actress in Medea, won an Emmy for her appearance in TV adaptation of Rebecca and for nearly 15 years was the host of the PBS series Mystery!.
Among Millennials and Gen Z, Rigg is undoubtedly best known for her portrayal of Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones.
Rigg is survived by her daughter Rachael Stirling, an actress in her own right. The two appeared together in a 2013 episode of the long running British sci-fi show Doctor Who.
But Rigg will always and forever be remembered for Emma Peel. R.I.P.
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