Diana Rigg was a legendary stage and screen actress known for her superb performance in numerous movies and TV series. She gained worldwide fame for her portrayal of Emma Peel in the television series ‘The Avengers’. She also served as a Chancellor at the University of Stirling in Stirling from 1998 to 2008.
Theater Career
Rigg made her stage debut in 1957 in the York Festival’s production of Bertolt Brecht’s ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’. She made her first London stage appearance after four years. During that time, she also worked as a fashion model and appeared and performed supporting roles in the TV series ‘The Sentimental Agent’. She earned her first three Tony Award nominations for Best Actress in ‘Abelard and Heloïse’, ‘ The Misanthrope’, and ‘Night and Day’. She received her fourth Tony nomination in February 2018.
Film and Television career
Rigg appeared in the British espionage TV series ‘The Avengers from 1965 to 1968. She portrayed the role of secret agent ‘Emma Peel’ in 51 episodes. Rigg made her Hollywood debut in 1968 with the role of Helena in the movie ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. She also performed the role of James Bond’s wife ‘Tracy Bond’ in the movie ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service ‘. She was the only woman who became Mrs. James Bond. Rigg performed in more than 15 movies throughout the career, her last movie was ‘Breathe (2017)’. And she won several awards and nominations for her outstanding performance.
Diana Rigg’s marriages
Diana Rigg married, Israeli painter Menachem Geffen, in 1973. The marriage lasted only for three years and ended with a divorce. Her second marriage was toa theatrical producer and former officer, Archibald Stirling from 1982 to 1990. She had a daughter from Stirling, actress Rachael Stirling, who was born five years before their marriage.
Dianna Rigg’s death
Diana Rigg died on 10 September 2020, from cancer. Her daughter, Rachael Stirling, said that the cause of death was cancer which had been diagnosed in March.
Here below are some beautiful photos of young Diana Rigg from her early career and life.
