Ewen MacIntosh, known for his portrayal of Keith Bishop in the British comedy “The Office,” passed away at the age of 50, his management confirmed Wednesday.
“With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved comedy genius Ewen MacIntosh. His family thank all who supported him, especially Willow Green Care Home,” MacIntosh’s management, Just Right Management, said in a statement. “There will be a private cremation for family & close friends soon & a celebratory memorial later in the year.”
Two years prior to his death, in Feb. 2022, MacIntosh reached out to his followers on Twitter with a message of resilience during a difficult period.
“Bad times for me I’m afraid chums. Stay strong out there,” he wrote, alongside a photo of himself in a hospital bed. Visible in the photo were ECG stickers on his chest, indicating that he was under cardiac monitoring by healthcare professionals.
With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved comedy genius Ewen MacIntosh. His family thank all who supported him, especially Willow Green Care Home. There will be a private cremation for family & close friends soon & a celebratory memorial later in the year
— JustRight Management (@JustRightMgt) February 21, 2024
The actor left a mark on the British television landscape. MacIntosh’s journey to stardom began with his role as the enigmatic Keith, captivating audiences with his deadpan delivery and quirky traits.
Beyond Britain’s original “The Office,” MacIntosh showcased his versatility across a range of sitcoms, such as “Little Britain,” “Lead Balloon,” “Miranda,” and “Mongrels.” His collaboration with producer and comedian Ricky Gervais continued with an appearance in the Netflix series “After Life” in 2022. (RELATED: Tom Wilkinson Dead At 75)
Several celebrities have paid tribute to the comedian. Gervais, the mind behind “The Office” and MacIntosh’s former co-star, took to social media to honor the actor’s memory.
“Extremely sad news. The very funny and very lovely Ewen Macintosh, known to many as “Big Keith” from The Office, has passed away. An absolute original. RIP,” Gervais said.
MacIntosh’s friend, Ed Scott, the CEO of Dodged A Bullet Music, also paid tribute to the actor.
“I am completely devastated by the loss of my very good friend Ewen MacIntosh. He may have had a famous face known by millions as Keith from The Office but the person inside is what I will most remember,” he wrote in a post.