Diana Rigg: The Biography (Paperback)

~ (Author) "To the British in the early twentieth century India was nothing short of the jewel in their crown, the most glorious and important colony of..." (more)
Key Phrases: Diana Rigg, Emma Peel, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This new biography captures the Rigg experience with gusto and enthusiasm, a must-have for any fan of the grand star." -- Phil Hall, New York Resident magazine

"Very well written but it is also well researched . . . The biography is enjoyable and holds the reader’s attention." -- Judith Colombo, author, The Fablesinger and Night Crimes

Product Description

The fascinating professional and personal life of one of today's most talented actresses is revealed in this biography of Diana Rigg, one of the sexiest women ever to grace the television screen. Rigg's high-profile roles are detailed-from the brilliant and seductive British agent Emma Peel in The Avengers to one of the most intelligent and impressive of James Bond's women (and the only one who actually gets to marry him) in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Rigg's time with the Royal Shakespeare Company and her current stage career are also profiled. This book tells the story of a rebellious and outspoken woman who has always lived life on her own terms, defying both convention and authority.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: BenBella Books; 1st BenBella Books Ed edition (April 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193210027X
• ISBN-13: 978-1932100273
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #335,987 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Damita Syn, August 18, 2004

By	Damita Syn (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

If you're a true Avengers addict or Diana Rigg devote there's probably not much that will dissuade you from purchasing this book. However fair warning should be given. The fact that Kathleen Tracy is listed as the "author" of this book is laughable. The book really should be titled, "Diana Rigg: The Compilation of Quotes and Information Cribbed From Every Other Story or Article Written about Diana Rigg." I imagine the publisher went with "biography" as the latter would be difficult to fit on the jacket. There's neither an original nor insightful word to be found in this "biography". This book is entirely made up of the content from articles previously published on Diana Rigg. Spend an hour searching on Lexis/Nexus and you'll achieve the same results as the book. Frankly, if I were Diana Rigg I'd be pretty peeved that someone is making money on this. I hope she's getting a cut.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only biography of this amazing woman, July 2, 2004

By A Customer

Rigg is one of the greatest actresses of our time, and there's finally a biography that covers her life and work. A fun read, and lots of great pics.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Biography of a Free Spirit & Gifted Actress!, May 12, 2007

By	Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Though forever linked in the public's eye with her Emma Peel role, Diana Rigg - sorry, Dame Diana Rigg! - is one of England's most respected theater actresses and, judging from this book, one hell of an interesting individual. In an eventful career fueled by a fierce independence and a drive to test new waters, Rigg has scored notable successes in the theater, movies and television along with the occasional failure. Her personal life has been as adventuresome and, as revealed in this biography by Kathleen Tracy, Rigg is as interesting a character as any role she has played.

Born in India and educated in England, Rigg arrived in London in the late 1950s very much a free spirit. Joining what was to become the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1959 she embarked on a theater career, slowly establishing a reputation as a gifted, insightful actress. In 1965, on a whim, she auditioned for the AVENGERS TV series and won the role that made her into a cultural icon.

It isn't overstating matters to say the Emma Peel character exploded on the public conscience, especially the male portion. Here was a beautiful, intelligent, witty and self-assured woman capable of handling all situations, a woman totally unlike anything seen on television previously. Yet, for all the attention given to karate kicks and 'Emmapeeler' costume, Rigg was a marvelously talented actress with a wonderfully expressive face that could effortlessly go from self-confidence to uncertainty to terror. Not to mention a smile that lit up a room and a rich, fruity voice and laugh!

Characteristically seeking new challenges, Rigg left the AVENGERS after two years. Returning to the theater world her reputation as a stage actress steadily grew over the years, Olivier subsequently calling her "a brilliantly skilled and delicious actress." Rigg's track record in films and television was mixed. She was charming in THE ASSASSINATION BUREAU, held her own against George C. Scott in THE HOSPITAL, was the best Bond girl ever in ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, tanked in DIANA, was Emmy nominated for IN THIS HOUSE OF BREDE and was monstrously evil in MOTHER LOVE. Rigg's personal live was just as varied and interesting.

Rigg was not interviewed for this book, author Kathleen Tracy interweaving comments from previous Rigg interviews with background information and insightful commentary.

Unbelieveably this is the first book on this gifted Tony and Emmy Award winner. Rigg fans will enjoy this book immensely, especially those quoted sections where she reveals herself as a forthright, insightful and self-deprecating 'Dame who considers herself a dame.' Read & enjoy!