Dame Diana Rigg, who passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on September 10, 2020, left behind a legendary acting career and a life filled with sharp wit, unapologetic opinions, and a no-nonsense attitude. From her breakthrough as Emma Peel in The Avengers to her unforgettable role as Olenna Tyrell on Game of Thrones, Rigg’s career spanned decades and was filled with iconic performances. Beyond her acting prowess, she was known for her bold personality and fearless honesty. Here are five unforgettable stories that capture the essence of Dame Diana Rigg.
#1. No, She Didn’t Eat Garlic to Annoy George Lazenby
While filming On Her Majesty’s Secret Service—her only Bond film—Rigg didn’t hide her distaste for co-star George Lazenby. Lazenby, on his first film, reportedly acted like a star before earning his stripes. He even started a rumor that Rigg ate garlic before their kissing scenes to sabotage him. Rigg cleared things up in a witty 1970 open letter to the Daily Sketch: “No, George, I did not eat garlic on purpose.” While Lazenby later denied the incident, both actors shared a mutual, teasing respect. Rigg maintained her professionalism, and upon her death, Lazenby reflected fondly, “We were good friends on set.”
#2. Turning Bad Reviews Into an Iconic Book
Rigg’s sharp wit wasn’t just limited to her roles. After receiving a scathing review about a nude scene in the Broadway play Abelard and Héloïse, she decided to strike back with humor. Critic John Simon compared her figure to “a brick basilica.” Rather than wallow in the critique, Rigg compiled a book titled No Turn Unstoned, which featured actors’ worst reviews, submitted by the performers themselves. Her creation, filled with contributions from the likes of Glenda Jackson and Katharine Hepburn, became a testament to the resilience of actors. Later, she turned the concept into a one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
#3. A Stern Letter About My Fair Lady’s Leading Lady
When Rigg returned to Broadway in 2018’s My Fair Lady, she didn’t hold back her views on co-star Lauren Ambrose skipping Sunday matinees to preserve her voice. In a fiery letter, Rigg wrote that the show “must go on—with ALL principals.” She stood firm on her belief that actors should perform no matter the circumstance, recalling her own experience busting a vocal cord while rehearsing Medea. “It’s a tradition that’s been lost,” she remarked, showing her dedication to the old-school way of the stage.
#4. She Never Watched Game of Thrones
Despite being one of the most iconic characters on Game of Thrones, Rigg admitted she never watched the show. “I hadn’t got a clue” about the plot, she revealed at the Canneseries TV festival. Known for her role as the cunning Olenna Tyrell from seasons three to seven, Rigg relied on her acting instincts rather than following the show’s intricate storyline. She recalled her screen test as “incredibly difficult,” but true to her determined spirit, she nailed it in one take.
#5. Speaking Her Mind, Even to Critics
Rigg was as straightforward off-screen as she was on it. Rolling Stone’s Alan Sepinwall once shared a charming story of meeting her in an elevator during the Game of Thrones Season 3 premiere. Wrapped in wool to ward off a cold, she quipped, “I’m looking for the chemist. I believe his name is … Duane?”—a hilarious reference to the Duane Reade pharmacy chain. Vulture’s Mark Harris also recalled sitting next to her at a Tony Awards party. After casual chit-chat, she handed him her phone and demanded, “Find Uber on this and get me the hell out of here.”
