HOT ’60S SPY DIES
Rigg, 82, starred in ‘Avengers,’ ‘Bond’ & ‘Thrones’
British actress Diana Rigg, a sexy superspy on TV and beautiful Bond girl in the 1960s who gained a new generation of fans on “Game of Thrones,” died Thursday.
She was 82.
“She was at home with her family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time,” her agent told the BBC.
In recent years, Rigg earned new fans for playing the fierce and cunning Lady Tyrell in HBO's “Game of Thrones,” a role that earned her Emmy nominations for guest actress in a drama in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
That came nearly a halfcentury after she made her mark as Emma Peel in the British espionage TV series “The Avengers,” in which she played a secret agent alongside Patrick Macnee's John Steed from 1965-68.
“It was a wonderful part and Patrick was adorable to work with and I think it came through that we really did love each other, no sex, but we loved each other. I think I got mutual respect, and we did get that,” Rigg was quoted on her IMDB page.
In 1969, she appeared as the only woman to win a ring from the dashing 007 when her Countess Teresa di Vicenzo wed James Bond in “On Her Majesty's Secret Service,” George Lazenby's only film as 007.
Rigg also won an Emmy for playing Mrs. Danvers in a TV adaptation of “Rebecca” in 1997 and was nominated for her roles in 1975's “In This House of Brede” and 2002's “Victoria & Albert.”
Her short-lived 1973 NBC sitcom, “Diana,” was modeled after “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and starred Rigg as a department store fashion coordinator who moves to New York after her divorce.
Other film roles included 1981's “The Great Muppet Caper.”
Rigg also had a prolific theater career, including a Tony-nominated turn as Mrs. Higgins in “My Fair Lady” on Broadway in 2018.
In 1994, she was made a a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to film and theater.
“She always raised the bar with her incredible talent, intelligence and wit,” “Game of Thrones” co-star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau tweeted. “An absolute joy and honor to work with. May her soul Rest In Peace.”
“Be a dragon,” the “Game of Thrones” account tweeted. “The realm will always remember Diana Rigg.”
Rigg is survived by her daughter, actress Rachael Stirling, from her marriage to theatrical producer Archibald Stirling.