British actress Dame Diana Rigg, who brought many formidable characters to life during her six-decade-long career, passed away at age 82. She went down in history as one of the most accomplished actresses of her generation, thanks to the roles in The Avengers, Game of Thrones, and איק James Bond franchise.
Rigg’s daughter, actress Rachael Stirling, revealed she died of cancer, after being diagnosed with the disease back in March. According to Stirling, “she spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter, and a deep pride in her profession.”
The mainstream audience is most familiar with Rigg’s recent role as Lady Olenna Tyrell on Game of Thrones, but her career in Hollywood goes a way back. She became a household name while playing Emma Peel in the British spy series The Avengers, and went on to win an Emmy for her supporting role in the mini-series Rebecca from 1997. Rigg also played James Bond’s wife Teresa di Vicenzo in the 1969 movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Many of Rigg’s former co-stars and collaborators shared touching tributes celebrating her legacy. She has several posthumous projects in post-production, including TV series All Creatures Great and Small and Edgar Wright’s film Last Night in Soho.
