Overview
Dame Enid Diana Elizabeth Rigg DBE (20 July 1938 – 10 September 2020) was an English actress whose career spanned theatre, television and film. She became a household name in the 1960s for her role as Emma Peel in the television thriller series The Avengers, and later gained renewed recognition for roles in cinema and contemporary television drama. Rigg combined classical stage training with an ability to move between popular and highbrow projects, winning several major awards during a career of more than five decades.
Early life and training
Rigg was born in Doncaster in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England. She trained for the stage and quickly established herself in repertory and classical theatre, developing a reputation for versatility and presence. Her early work on stage led to radio and television opportunities, and she remained active on stage throughout her life, returning regularly to Shakespeare, modern drama and new writing.
Stage and screen career
Rigg's breakthrough to international fame came with The Avengers (1965–68), in which her portrayal of Emma Peel combined charisma, wit and physical skill. On film she appeared in a variety of roles, from genre pictures to period drama; one of her better known film parts was as the female lead in a major spy film of the late 1960s. On television she continued to take challenging and sometimes unconventional parts, including a celebrated turn in a popular fantasy drama series in the 2010s that introduced her to a new generation.
Notable roles and recognitions
- Television: Emma Peel in The Avengers (1965–68); later prominent roles in contemporary series.
- Film: Lead and supporting roles in mainstream and independent films across the 1960s–1990s.
- Stage: Regular appearances in Shakespeare, classical plays and modern drama; acclaimed for both tragic and comic parts.
Over her career Rigg received several honours: she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1988 and elevated to Dame Commander (DBE) in 1994. She also won a BAFTA (1990), a Tony Award (1994) and an Emmy Award (1997), reflecting recognition in television, theatre and international broadcasting.
Legacy and later life
Rigg's influence lies in her ability to move between popular culture and serious theatre while retaining critical respect. Her image as a 1960s style icon endures, but more importantly she is remembered for a sustained body of work that included classical stage roles, film characters and memorable television performances. In March 2020 she announced a diagnosis of lung cancer, and she died in London on 10 September 2020 at the age of 82. Tributes from colleagues and critics highlighted both her craft and her wit.