Diana Rigg remembered as ‘flinty, fearless, fabulous’ as Mark Gatiss leads tributes to Avengers and Game of Thrones star
TRIBUTES are pouring in for Diana Rigg from the world of showbiz after her death at the age of 82. The iconic British actress passed away “peacefully” at home yesterday surrounded by her family after a secret six-month battle with cancer. The League of Gentlemen star Mark Gatiss wrote: “It was my great joy and privilege to […]
TRIBUTES are pouring in for Diana Rigg from the world of showbiz after her death at the age of 82.
The iconic British actress passed away “peacefully” at home yesterday surrounded by her family after a secret six-month battle with cancer.
The League of Gentlemen star Mark Gatiss wrote: “It was my great joy and privilege to have known Diana Rigg.
“From three slightly hysterical months at the Old Vic in ‘All About Mother’ to writing The Crimson Horror for Diana and her wonderful daughter Rachael.
“Flinty, fearless, fabulous. There will never be another. RIP.”
Her Game of Thrones colleague John Bradley wrote: “Diana Rigg was just wonderful. But you all knew that already. Everybody did. Very sad news.”
Notting Hill actor James Dreyfus also shared a tribute: “RIP Dame Diana Rigg. One of our greatest.’
Sir David Hare said: “Diana Rigg had a dazzling change of direction in middle age as a great classical actor.
“When Emma Peel played Euripides’ Medea, Albee’s Martha and Brecht’s Mother Courage she swept all before her.”
Sir Tom Stoppard added: “For half her life Diana was the most beautiful woman in the room, but she was what used to be called a trooper.
“She went to work with her sleeves rolled up and a smile for everyone. Her talent was luminous.”
Newsreader Kay Burley wrote: “RIP Diana Rigg. She was 82 and an absolute superstar.”
Her daughter, actress Rachael Stirling, said: “My Beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning, at home, surrounded by family.
“She died of cancer diagnosed in March, and spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession.
“I will miss her beyond words”.
Her agent Simon Beresford added: “It is with tremendous sadness that we announce that Dame Diana Rigg died peacefully early this morning.
“She was at home with her family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time. Dame Diana was an icon of theatre, film, and television.
“She was the recipient of Bafta, Emmy, Tony and Evening Standard Awards for her work on stage and screen.
“Dame Diana was a much loved and admired member of her profession, a force of nature who loved her work and her fellow actors. She will be greatly missed.”
Rigg famously played secret agent Emma Peel in 51 episodes of the Avengers in the 1960s.
She also was the only Bond girl to marry 007 – getting hitched to George Lazenby in Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
But Rigg – who played Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo – was killed just moments after the wedding.
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Later in her career, she appeared in ITV’s Victoria and was most recently seen playing Mrs Pumphrey in Channel 5’s new adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small.
She also appeared in Game of Thrones as Olenna Tyrell between 2013 to 2017.
Speaking about the role, she said: “There are some actors who don’t like to play bad; they like to be liked. I love to be disliked. Olenna had the best lines.”