Linda Thorson

Tall (5' 9"), svelte, adventurous young actress Linda Thorson, invariably known as the brunette dish who replaced Diana Rigg on the highly popular action series The Avengers (1961), was born Linda Robinson on June 18, 1947 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The second of four children of a math and physics teacher, she made a move to England in 1965 and initially studied dance and voice. A teen apprentice at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, her professional career took off abruptly in another direction, away from the theatre lights, when the 20-year-old was chosen over 200 hopefuls to succeed Ms. Rigg's character Emma Peel as John Steed's (played by Patrick Macnee) new partner, female secret agent Tara King. Despite her equally luscious looks and a set of beautiful, crystal blue orbs, Linda had major boots to fill and the stay was not long or heralded. Fans and critics alike were rather unkind to Linda and the series was canceled after one season (1968-69). Out of the limelight for