History of Diana Rigg in Timeline
Dame Enid Diana Elizabeth Rigg was a renowned English actress celebrated for her stage and screen performances. She gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Emma Peel in the television series "The Avengers" (1965-1968). Rigg further solidified her fame by playing Countess Teresa di Vicenzo, James Bond's wife, in the film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969). Later in her career, she captivated audiences as Olenna Tyrell in the acclaimed HBO series "Game of Thrones" (2013-2017). Her theatrical achievements include the title role in "Medea," which she performed both in London's West End and on Broadway.
July 1938: Birth of Diana Rigg
Diana Rigg was born in Doncaster, West Riding of Yorkshire, England in July 1938.
July 1938: Birth and Early Life of Diana Rigg
Diana Rigg was born in July 1938 and spent her early childhood in Bikaner, India, where she learned Hindi.
1955: Diana Rigg begins studies at RADA
Diana Rigg began her training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1955.
1957: Diana Rigg graduates from RADA
Diana Rigg graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1957.
1957: Professional Stage Debut
Diana Rigg made her professional stage debut in "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" in 1957.
1957: Diana Rigg's Professional Debut
Diana Rigg's professional debut was in "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" at the York Festival in 1957.
1959: Diana Rigg joins Royal Shakespeare Company
Diana Rigg joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1959.
1961: "The Avengers" Premieres
The British television series "The Avengers" premiered in 1961.
1965: Diana Rigg joins "The Avengers"
Diana Rigg joined "The Avengers" as Emma Peel, replacing Elizabeth Shepherd, in 1965.
1967: Diana Rigg's time with the Royal Shakespeare Company
Diana Rigg performed various roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company until 1967.
1968: Diana Rigg leaves "The Avengers"
Diana Rigg left "The Avengers" after demanding equal pay and experiencing other challenges in 1968.
1968: Diana Rigg stars in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
Diana Rigg played Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in 1968.
1969: Diana Rigg stars in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"
Diana Rigg starred as Countess Teresa di Vicenzo in the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" in 1969.
1969: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
In 1969, Diana Rigg appeared in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" as Tracy Bond, James Bond's wife, alongside George Lazenby. She also starred in "The Assassination Bureau".
1970: Diana Rigg stars in "Abelard and Heloise" in London
Diana Rigg starred in "Abelard and Heloise" in London in 1970.
1970: Julius Caesar
Diana Rigg starred in the film "Julius Caesar" in 1970.
1971: Broadway Debut
Diana Rigg made her Broadway debut in "Abelard & Heloise" in 1971.
1971: Diana Rigg's Broadway debut in "Abelard and Heloise"
Diana Rigg made her Broadway debut in "Abelard and Heloise" in 1971.
1972: Diana Rigg joins National Theatre Company
Diana Rigg joined the National Theatre Company at The Old Vic in 1972.
1972: First Interview with Michael Parkinson
Diana Rigg's first interview with Michael Parkinson took place in 1972.
1973: Marriage to Menachem Gueffen
Diana Rigg married Menachem Gueffen in 1973.
1973: Diana and Theatre of Blood
Diana Rigg starred in the short-lived US sitcom "Diana" in 1973-74 and also appeared in the film "Theatre of Blood" in 1973.
1975: Tony Award Nomination for "The Misanthrope"
Diana Rigg received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in "The Misanthrope" in 1975.
1975: In This House of Brede
In 1975, Diana Rigg starred in the film "In This House of Brede".
1976: Divorce from Menachem Gueffen
Diana Rigg and Menachem Gueffen divorced in 1976.
1977: Birth of Rachael Stirling
Diana Rigg's daughter, Rachael Stirling, was born in 1977.
1977: A Little Night Music
In 1977, Diana Rigg appeared in the film "A Little Night Music".
1978: Diana Rigg stars in "Night and Day"
Diana Rigg starred in Tom Stoppard's "Night and Day" at the Phoenix Theatre in 1978.
1980: The Marquise
Diana Rigg starred in the television adaptation of "The Marquise" in 1980.
1981: Diana Rigg stars in "The Great Muppet Caper"
Diana Rigg played Lady Holiday in "The Great Muppet Caper" in 1981.
1981: Hedda Gabler and The Great Muppet Caper
In 1981, Diana Rigg starred as Hedda in a production of Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler" and appeared in the film "The Great Muppet Caper".
March 1982: Marriage to Archie Stirling
Diana Rigg married Archie Stirling in March 1982.
1982: Diana Rigg appears in "Colette"
Diana Rigg appeared in the musical "Colette" in 1982.
1982: Diana Rigg stars in "Evil Under the Sun"
Diana Rigg played Arlena Marshall in "Evil Under the Sun" in 1982.
1983: King Lear
In 1983, Diana Rigg played Regan in a television production of "King Lear", which starred Laurence Olivier.
1985: Bleak House
Diana Rigg co-starred with Denholm Elliott in a television version of Dickens' "Bleak House" in 1985.
1986: The Worst Witch
In 1986, Diana Rigg played Miss Hardbroom in a television adaptation of "The Worst Witch", starring opposite Tim Curry.
1987: Diana Rigg stars in "Follies"
Diana Rigg starred in Stephen Sondheim's "Follies" in the West End in 1987.
1987: Snow White
In 1987, Diana Rigg played the Evil Queen in the film adaptation of "Snow White".
1989: BAFTA TV Award for "Mother Love"
Diana Rigg won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for the miniseries "Mother Love" in 1989.
1990: Divorce from Archie Stirling
Diana Rigg and Archie Stirling divorced in 1990.
1990: BAFTA Award
In 1990, Diana Rigg won a BAFTA for Best Television Actress for her performance in "Mother Love".
1992: Diana Rigg stars in "Medea" at the Almeida Theatre
Diana Rigg starred in "Medea" at the Almeida Theatre in 1992.
1993: Diana Rigg stars in "Medea" in the West End
Diana Rigg starred in the title role of "Medea" in London's West End in 1993.
1993: Diana Rigg stars in "Medea" at Wyndham's Theatre
Diana Rigg's performance in "Medea" transferred to Wyndham's Theatre in 1993.
1994: Tony Award for "Medea" on Broadway
Diana Rigg won a Tony Award for "Medea" on Broadway in 1994.
1995: Diana Rigg stars in "Mother Courage"
Diana Rigg starred in "Mother Courage" at the National Theatre in 1995.
1995: Zoya
In 1995, Diana Rigg appeared in a television film adaptation of Danielle Steel's "Zoya".
October 1996: Diana Rigg stars in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"
Diana Rigg starred in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" at the Aldwych Theatre in October 1996.
1997: Emmy Award for "Rebecca"
Diana Rigg won an Emmy Award for her role as Mrs. Danvers in "Rebecca" in 1997.
1997: Rebecca and Moll Flanders
In 1997, Diana Rigg appeared in television productions of "Rebecca", winning an Emmy, and "Moll Flanders".
1999: Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor
In 1999, Diana Rigg became the Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at St Catherine's College, Oxford, holding the position for a year.
2000: In the Beginning
Diana Rigg and her daughter, Rachael Stirling, appeared together in the 2000 film "In the Beginning".
2000: The Mrs Bradley Mysteries
In 2000, Diana Rigg began starring as Mrs. Bradley in "The Mrs Bradley Mysteries".
2003: End of Mystery! Hosting
Diana Rigg's run as host of the PBS series "Mystery!" concluded in 2003.
2004: Diana Rigg stars in "Suddenly Last Summer"
Diana Rigg starred in Tennessee Williams' "Suddenly Last Summer" in 2004.
2006: Diana Rigg stars in "Honour"
Diana Rigg appeared in the play "Honour" at Wyndham's Theatre in 2006.
2006: Extras and The Painted Veil
In 2006, Diana Rigg appeared in the second series of "Extras" and the film "The Painted Veil".
2007: Diana Rigg stars in "All About My Mother"
Diana Rigg starred in "All About My Mother" at The Old Vic in 2007.
July 2008: End of Chancellorship
Diana Rigg's term as chancellor of the University of Stirling ended in July 2008.
2008: Diana Rigg stars in "The Cherry Orchard"
Diana Rigg appeared in "The Cherry Orchard" at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2008.
2009: Diana Rigg stars in "Hay Fever"
Diana Rigg starred in Noël Coward's "Hay Fever" at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2009.
2009: Smoking Habit
In 2009, Diana Rigg was reported to still be smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.
2011: Diana Rigg stars in "Pygmalion"
Diana Rigg played Mrs. Higgins in "Pygmalion" at the Garrick Theatre in 2011.
2013: Diana Rigg stars in "Doctor Who"
Diana Rigg appeared in the "Doctor Who" episode "The Crimson Horror" with her daughter, Rachael Stirling, in 2013.
2013: Game of Thrones
Diana Rigg joined the cast of "Game of Thrones" as Lady Olenna Tyrell in 2013, earning an Emmy nomination.
2013: Diana Rigg joins "Game of Thrones"
Diana Rigg joined the cast of "Game of Thrones" as Olenna Tyrell in 2013.
2013: Doctor Who: The Crimson Horror
In 2013, Diana Rigg and her daughter appeared in the "Doctor Who" episode "The Crimson Horror".
July 2014: Emmy Nomination
Diana Rigg received another Emmy nomination for her role in "Game of Thrones" in July 2014.
2014: Will Award Recipient
Diana Rigg, along with Stacy Keach and John Hurt, received the Will Award from the Shakespeare Theatre Company in 2014.
June 2015: Interview about The Avengers
In June 2015, Diana Rigg discussed her chemistry with Patrick Macnee on "The Avengers" in an interview.
October 2015: 50 Years of Emma Peel Celebration
The British Film Institute marked the 50th anniversary of Emma Peel with a screening of The Avengers episode and an interview with Diana Rigg in October 2015.
2015: Diana Rigg stars in "You, Me and the Apocalypse" and "Detectorists"
Diana Rigg appeared in the television series "You, Me and the Apocalypse" and "Detectorists" in 2015.
2015: Game of Thrones Season 5
Diana Rigg reprised her role in "Game of Thrones" for season five in 2015 and received another Emmy nomination.
2016: Game of Thrones Season 6
In 2016, Diana Rigg continued her role in "Game of Thrones" season six.
December 2017: Heart Surgery
In December 2017, Diana Rigg underwent heart surgery and stopped smoking.
2017: Diana Rigg's final season of "Game of Thrones"
Diana Rigg's final season on "Game of Thrones" aired in 2017.
February 2018: Diana Rigg returns to Broadway in "My Fair Lady"
Diana Rigg returned to Broadway as Mrs. Higgins in "My Fair Lady" in February 2018.
2018: Emmy Nomination
Diana Rigg received another Emmy nomination for her performance in "Game of Thrones" in 2018.
April 2019: Never Watched Game of Thrones
In April 2019, Diana Rigg revealed that she had never watched "Game of Thrones".
2019: Diana Rigg discusses "The Avengers" and Gender Pay Gap
In 2019, Diana Rigg discussed her experiences on "The Avengers", including her fight for equal pay and the lack of support from other women in the industry.
2019: All Creatures Great and Small and Last Night in Soho
In 2019, Diana Rigg filmed "All Creatures Great and Small" and appeared in "Last Night in Soho", her final film.
September 2020: Death of Diana Rigg
Diana Rigg passed away from lung cancer in September 2020 at her daughter's London home. She was 82 years old.
2020: Diana Rigg stars in "All Creatures Great and Small"
Diana Rigg played Mrs. Pumphrey in "All Creatures Great and Small" in 2020.
2021: Diana Rigg's final role in "Last Night in Soho"
Diana Rigg's final film role was in Edgar Wright's "Last Night in Soho", released posthumously in 2021.
