Diana Rigg was born on July 20, 1938, in Doncaster, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. She was the daughter of railway engineer Louis Rigg and Beryl Hilda Helliwell. Rigg attended Fulneck Girls’ School, where she developed an interest in acting and appeared in school plays. She later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London from 1955 to 1957.
Rigg’s early career in the performing arts included stage work in various regional theatres across the United Kingdom. In 1959, she made her professional debut at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), where she gained critical acclaim for her performances in a range of Shakespearean plays such as “Macbeth” and “Julius Caesar.” Her talent and versatility on the stage quickly made her one of Britain’s leading classical actresses.
In 1965, Rigg rose to international fame for her role as Emma Peel in the British television series “The Avengers.” Her portrayal of Peel, a stylish and intelligent spy, established her as a cultural icon and sex symbol of the swinging 1960s. Rigg’s chemistry with co-star Patrick Macnee earned the show a massive following and made her a household name. During her tenure on “The Avengers,” Rigg became known for her action-packed fight scenes and her fashionable, mod-inspired wardrobe.
After leaving “The Avengers” in 1968, Rigg continued to carve out a successful career both on stage and screen. She won a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway production of “Medea” in 1994. Rigg also appeared in numerous films, including “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969) as the only Bond girl to marry James Bond, played by George Lazenby. She also starred in “The Hospital” (1971), “The Great Muppet Caper” (1981), and “Evil Under the Sun” (1982).
In recent years, Rigg is best known for her role as Olenna Tyrell in the critically acclaimed HBO fantasy series “Game of Thrones” from 2013 to 2017. Rigg’s performance as the cunning and sharp-tongued matriarch of House Tyrell earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2013.
Throughout her career, Diana Rigg received several prestigious awards and recognitions. In addition to her Tony Award, she won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for “Mother Love” (1989) and was nominated for numerous Olivier Awards for her stage work. She was also honored with a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1994 for her services to drama.
Diana Rigg’s contributions to the entertainment industry spanned over six decades, and her talent and charisma continue to inspire actors and actresses around the world. She was known for her dedication to her craft and her ability to captivate audiences with her performances. Off-screen, Rigg was known for her wit and intelligence, often using her platform to advocate for social issues. Her impact on popular culture and her lasting legacy as an icon of British television and stage make her one of the most revered performers of her generation.
Diana Rigg sadly passed away on September 10, 2020, at the age of 82, leaving behind a rich and enduring legacy in the world of entertainment.
