“Emma Peel” Dies At Age 82

September 10, 2020 4:28 pm

LONDON (AP) – Whether in the 1960s spy TV series “The Avengers,” on the London stage or in the streaming hit “Game of Thrones” – Diana Rigg was a standout actor. The legendary star has died of cancer. She was 82. Her daughter Rachael Stirling says Rigg “spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession.” Rigg first rose to attention in the U.S. in “The Avengers” as secret agent Emma Peel – who performed alongside Patrick Macnee’s bowler-wearing partner John Steed. She also was in the 1969 James Bond movie, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” She played Tracy di Vicenzo – the only woman to marry Agent 007, even though it was for only a short time. In her later life, she played Olenna Tyrell, “Queen of Thorns” – in “Game of Thrones,” receiving an Emmy Award nomination for the role. On the stage, Rigg won a Tony Award for “Medea” on Broadway – and was nominated three other times.