Veteran Hollywood actress Diana Rigg of The Avengers fame dies in her sleep

Diana Rigg, the English actress best known for her roles in  British TV series The Avengers, and Game of Thrones died in her sleep. Rigg was given the title of “Dame” in honour of her services to drama. My beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning, at home, surrounded by family,” Rigg's actress daughter Rachael Stirling said in a prepared 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's agent Simon Beresford added that the Rigg family “have asked for privacy at this difficult time.”

Other film roles included the 1994 comedy-drama A Good Man In Africa, adapted from a William Boyd novel, and the 2017 biographical drama Breathe, directed by Andy Serkis. The veteran actress was much loved  by Bond fans for her memorable performance as Tracy di Vicenzo in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Some of her other notable roles  include the 1994 comedy-drama A Good Man In Africa, adapted from a William Boyd novel, and the 2017 biographical drama Breathe, directed by Andy Serkis. Born to Louis Rigg and Beryl Hilda in 1938 Doncaster, England, Rigg spent over seven years of her childhood in Bikaner, Rajasthan, as her father worked for Bikaner State Railway in British India. Rigg learnt Hindi and spoke it as a second language by the time she returned to England after World War II, the BBC reports. Rigg graduated from school in 1955 and enrolled into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where she trained as an actress for the next two years. She would make her stage debut in The Caucasian Chalk Circle at the 1957 York Festival, and subsequently joined the Royal Shakespeare Company.