Patrick Macnee, 1922-2015

[DCWilson]

A tip of the bowler hat to Patrick Macnee, one of the most confident and charming of British-born actors in the last century, who died today in California.

Macnee had a lot of roles, but he is forever locked in memory as John Steed of the '60s TV series The Avengers. Steed was the character that most teenage males of the era had to look around to get a better view of Diana Rigg. His style, her allure: TV magic.

RIP, Steed/Macnee. Most of today's actors could use some of your characteristic humor -- or humour, if you will -- and charm.

 

[Cooter Brown]

There were a couple of shows I'd watch with Dad when I was a kid--"The Avengers" was one of them.

I was just a little guy and loved the story lines and all the cool gadgets and the exciting fight scenes. I'm sure Dad liked all that and although he wasn't a teenager I'm sure Miss Rigg was a draw for him as well!

RIP, Mr. Macnee.

 

[DWalt]

I always felt that there was an ulterior motive for naming Diana Rigg's character "Mrs. Peel." She also made a few movies (most notably "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," and "The Hospital" with George C. Scott), but I think most of her later acting career was on the stage.

By the way, I think that "OHMSS" was one of the best, if not the best, of the James Bond movie franchise, and that George Lazenby made a pretty good James Bond - far better than today's Daniel Craig who I have found to be a great disappointment in that role. Much of my opinion is due to Diana Riggs' co-starring in it, but many others believe "OHMSS" was the worst. I think George Lazenby also spent the rest of his career mainly on the stage.

 

[Dennis The B]

I was old enough to focus on Diana Rigg, instead of Patrick Macnee.

He also had a recurring role in the original Battle Star Galactica, as Adama's nemesis.

RIP - Mr. Macnee.

 

[Nico Testosteros]

Diana Rigg is currently acting in Game of Thrones.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Besides his role in The Avengers he does the intro to the 1952 "Scrooge".
We be sadly missed.
RIP Steed.
And yea, Diana Rigg was hot!

 

[10mmauto]

In that version of Scrooge, he played the young Jacob Marley.

 

[zzzippper]

Steed. John Steed. RIP.

 

[the ringo kid]

I always felt that there was an ulterior motive for naming Diana Rigg's character "Mrs. Peel." She also made a few movies (most notably "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," and "The Hospital" with George C. Scott), but I think most of her later acting career was on the stage.

By the way, I think that "OHMSS" was one of the best, if not the best, of the James Bond movie franchise, and that George Lazenby made a pretty good James Bond - far better than today's Daniel Craig who I have found to be a great disappointment in that role. Much of my opinion is due to Diana Riggs' co-starring in it, but many others believe "OHMSS" was the worst. I think George Lazenby also spent the rest of his career mainly on the stage.

On Lazenby. He has always regretting stepping aside after one Bond movie but,Sean Connery was good,darn good.

 

[the ringo kid]

Rest in Peace Mr. Steed. The best episodes of the series were the ones with Emma Peel in them. BTW, WM occasionally seels the Emma Peel episodes as a box set.Ive regretted not buying when I had the chance. The Rifleman was more important at the time. Another BTW,one of my Grandmothers first names was Emma.

 

[chaparrito]

Diana Rigg is currently acting in Game of Thrones.

Yeah, but somehow it's just not the same.

 

[LVSteve]

Sad to lose Patrick, but he had a good run.

When I was a kid in the UK I wanted to be either him or Roger Moore.

 

[austinjeane]

When I was a kid living on a ranch in northwest texas, I wanted to be John Steed so bad!

 

[kaaskop49]

I was old enough to focus on Diana Rigg, instead of Patrick Macnee.

He also had a recurring role in the original Battle Star Galactica, as Adama's nemesis.

RIP - Mr. Macnee.

Interesting post. I only remember one appearance in BSG: in a 2-parter where Macnee's character turned out to be Lucifer. I believe he also did the voice-over for the show's introduction.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[jag312]

After The Avengers, I wanted a Pierre Cardin suit, a vintage Bentley Speed Six, a Lotus Elan, and a girlfriend that looked like Diana Rigg.

What did I end with? A Levis and t-shirts, a 1953 Jaguar C-type, a 1954 Jaguar XK120 Special Equipment, a 1971 Ferrrari, and a series of girlfriends, none of whom had any resemblance to Mrs. Peel.

 

[kaaskop49]

To the membership:

I appreciate the ongoing notifications by Forum members of familiar celebrities/performers who have left us, folks we knew in our lifetimes. There do seem, however, to be a lot more this 2015 than in prior years. The loss of Ray Manzarek of The Doors 2 years ago hit me very hard, and I so posted. However, the loss of Leslie Gore this year was unexpected, and even more of a shock. Sorry if I'm being maudlin.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[falcon1]

I always felt that there was an ulterior motive for naming Diana Rigg's character "Mrs. Peel."

Indeed, there was. "Emma Peel"="M Appeal"="Male Appeal." My wife believes this is stated in Patrick Macnee's autobiography or in the book The Complete Avengers, but she knows that she read it somewhere....

May he rest in peace.

ETA: My wife looked it up for certain. The phrase was "Man Appeal," and it is in The Complete Avengers, by Dave Rogers. St. Martin's Press, New York, 1989, page 87.

 

[sophie]

Rest In Peace Patrick Macnee. Sorry to hear of his passing. I watched the Avengers with Steed and Emma Peel and thought the series was great.