The Avengers was not a show my mother liked for me to watch, but watch it I did whenever I could. Usually re-runs on PBS, but for me the Diana Rigg years were the best of the series.
Over the years, I saw her in a number of television shows and movies. Sadly, I never did get to see her on stage. She could do everything from ultra-serious drama to high camp, and did so with grace and charm — and clearly had fun with most or all of the roles. They actually let her drive in the race scene in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and she admitted she had a huge amount of fun, though she also reported the cameraman in the car turned green… If I could have had the opportunity, I would have loved to ask her about a scene in The Avengers where her opponent broke into a series of ballet moves in hyperspeed. The look on her face was “WTF???” and I’ve always wondered if they did that just to get her reaction.
Sadly, cancer has claimed her at age 82.
Thank you for many years of solid entertainment, and all else you provided through your roles. May the light shine down on those you leave behind, and comfort and guide them now and in the days ahead.