Diana Rigg, Olenna Tyrell in ‘Game of Thrones,’ dies at 82
Award-winning British actress Diana Rigg, who played Lady Olenna Tyrell in the HBO series Game of Thrones, died at 82, her agent announced on Thursday, according to The Associated Press.
"It is with tremendous sadness that we announce that Dame Diana Rigg died peacefully early this morning," Simon Beresford said in a statement.
Rigg died at her home in London.
"She was at home with her family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time," he added, calling her "an icon of theatre, film, and television."
Her daughter, Rachael Stirling, said that the cause of death was cancer, with which Rigg had been diagnosed in March.
"She spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession. I will miss her beyond words," Stirling added.
Aside from her role as the sarcastic and formidable political mastermind Queen of Thorns, Rigg is best known for an accomplished career spanning six decades, earning her Emmy, Tony and Bafta awards.
In the '60s, Rigg portrayed secret agent Emma Peel alongside Patrick Macnee’s John Steed in television series The Avengers. In 1969, she played Tracy Bond, James Bond's only wife, opposite George Lazenby in the 1969 Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
In the '70s and '80s, Rigg starred in dozens of plays in London as a member of the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company, and from 1989 until 2003, hosted the PBS television series Mystery!
(Image from HBO)
