Diana Rigg: Game of Thrones, Bond actor passes away at 82

Diana Rigg, known to the young generation for playing the role of Olenna Tyrell in HBO’s Game of Thrones, rose to fame by playing Emma Peel in the 1960s British espionage TV series The Avengers.

Her work in the series got her the role of the main Bond girl Tracy di Vicenzo in the movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, opposite George Lazenby.

Read | The name’s Bond, Tracy Bond — the legacy of James Bond’s wife, and the actor who played her

“We are very sad to hear of the passing of Dame Diana Rigg, the legendary stage and screen actress who was much beloved by Bond fans for her memorable performance as Tracy di Vicenzo in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the only woman to have married James Bond.” pic.twitter.com/nqQCSg35oM

— James Bond (@007) September 10, 2020

Be a dragon.
The realm will always remember Diana Rigg.

— Game of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) September 10, 2020

Diana Rigg was just wonderful. But you all knew that already. Everybody did. Very sad news. #dianarigg

— John Bradley (@johnbradleywest) September 10, 2020

The Finest, Dopest Spy in the 60’s & The Coldest Dopest Poisoner in Westeros,Dame Diana Rigg will live in my heart forever🖤‼️RIP, you never disappointed.👊🏾

— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) September 11, 2020

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 pic.twitter.com/2EGc4MVx0S

— Mark Gatiss (@Markgatiss) September 10, 2020

RIP Diana Rigg. It’s always hard when greatness exits this world. Rest well 💛https://t.co/ai1X2J23k6

— Viola Davis (@violadavis) September 10, 2020

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A post shared by Pedro Pascal he/him (@pascalispunk)

An icon and powerhouse left this world today… Rest in Peace Diana Rigg ✨✨✨ #RestinPeaceDianaRigg

— Nathalie Emmanuel (@missnemmanuel) September 10, 2020

As Olenna, the matriarch of House Tyrell, she won the love of Game of Thrones fans by embodying the sharp-tongued character with an acerbic wit that seemingly came naturally to her. Her performance won her fans who did not know the old Diana, the one who had married James Bond and played the catsuit-clad lithe spy in The Avengers.

Speaking about her young fans, Diana Rigg told Entertainment Weekly last year, “Obviously, it’s great that has happened, and great it was a young audience — terrific. That’s the nature of my profession. The young, I don’t expect them to know about my past, but if, through Game of Thrones, they discover me, that’s good.”