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Thursday, news broke that a legendary actor and star of Game of Thrones and Avengers passed away. The British actress had a long career, spanning back to the 1960s, and found a new generation of fans with her roll in the widely popular Game of Thrones series.
Diana Rigg, 82, passed away on Thursday. Her agent said in a public statement that Rigg’s passing occurred at home, around family. “It is with tremendous sadness that we announce that Dame Diana Rigg died peacefully early this morning,” stated agent Simon Beresford. “She was at home with her family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time.”
Rigg was a “Bond Girl” in 1969, in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Later, she would win an Emmy for her role in “Rebecca” as Mrs. Danvers. One of Rigg’s most major roles in her career was in the British spy thriller series “The Avengers”. Not to be confused with the Marvel superhero team, the British series focused on a team of spies. By 1998, the series was adapted into a major film.
In 2010, Games of Thrones introduced the world to the fantasy writing of George RR Martin. In that world, Riggs portrayed the stalwart and savvy Lady Olenna Tyrell. This role introduced a new generation of fantasy enthusiasts to the legendary British Actress.
In March of this year, Rigg was diagnosed with cancer. According to her daughter, Rachel Stirling, she spent her final days around family, sitting in her desk chair, reflecting on her life and career. Stirling stated her mother “spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession.”
According to Stirling, Rigg died peacefully, in her sleep, at home. “I will miss her beyond words,” Stirling said of her mother.
Daniel Craig, who is the most recent actor to play James Bond, called Rigg’s Teresa “Tracy” di Vicenzo one of the best Bond girls ever. Notably, di Vicenzo is the only woman in a Bond film to ever marry the title character. In classic Bond fashion, however, she is killed by a rival spy shortly after she and Bond are wed.
George Lazenby, the man who played Bond opposite Rigg, paid tribute to her on Instagram. “As my new bride, Tracy Bond, I wept for her loss. Now, upon hearing of Dame Diana’s death, I weep again. My deepest condolences for her family.”
