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Rigg won numerous Emmy, Tony and Bafta awards
during her long and prestigious career, equally at home in
classical theatre roles as those in popular TV shows.
"My Beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning,
at home, surrounded by family," her actress daughter Rachael
Stirling said in a statement.
"She died of cancer diagnosed in March, and 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."
Rigg, born in Doncaster in northern England, moved with her
family to India before going to school in England. She studied
at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before making her debut at
the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1959.
It was her role as the karate-kicking, leather-clad secret agent
Emma Peel in "The Avengers", alongside Patrick McNee's bowler-hatted
John Steed, that brought her to wide attention.
She went on to star in the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's
Secret Service" in which her character marries the British spy.
A return to the theatre resulted in a string of hits in the
1970s and 80s, and she was acclaimed for her role as Medea in
the early 1990s for which she won a Tony.
Recently, she is best known for playing Olenna Tyrell in "Game
of Thrones".
"For half her life Diana was the most beautiful woman in the
room, but she was what used to be called a Trouper. She went to
work with her sleeves rolled up and a smile for everyone. Her
talent was luminous," British playwright Tom Stoppard said in a
statement.
(This story has been refiled to fix typo in headline)
(Reporting by Michael Holden, editing by Estelle Shirbon and
Angus MacSwan)
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