Ewen MacIntosh, a comedian and actor best remembered for playing “Big Keith” in The Office, passed away at the age of 50.
Keith Bishop, the fictional character, was an accountant who loved scotch eggs, had a monotonous voicemail, and would have preferred to be a DJ.
In addition, MacIntosh had appearances in Little Britain and Miranda, two more British comedy.
The creator of the program, Ricky Gervais, took the lead in the X/Twitter tributes, calling MacIntosh “an absolute original”.
Bishop, who was employed by the made-up paper company Wernham Hogg, will be known for moments like the one in which he donned an Ali G costume in honor of Red Nose Day.
In a standout scene from the second season episode Appraisals, Big Keith stood out especially.
He is forced to identify his virtues and flaws in his review by office manager David Brent (played by Ricky Gervais).
Keith answers “don’t know” to every question while chewing gum and sporting a bored expression. He puts eczema as a weakness and accounting as a strength.
MacIntosh made appearances in both of The Office’s 2001–2002 seasons.
In the British romance comedy Finding Fatimah, he played Lionel in 2017, which was his most recent acting role.
The actor discussed his character’s love of scotch eggs with Vice in 2021.
“My first scene with Martin [Freeman], where I eat the Scotch egg – we had trouble doing that for some reason,” he said.
“It took an eternity to finish that. I finished a large number of Scotch eggs. It was not disclosed to me. The props man dashed out to grab them at the last minute.”
The actor Miranda Hart honored MacIntosh and expressed her gratitude that the two were able to collaborate on a scene for her BBC comedy series Miranda.
The actor Miranda Hart honored MacIntosh and expressed her gratitude that the two were able to collaborate on a scene for her BBC comedy series Miranda.
“We were the same age and crossed paths many times as we did our best to be funny and make a living out of it,” she posted to her Instagram account. “We did it even though it wasn’t always likely, and I’m happy we were able to perform a scene together. Many thanks, xx.”
MacIntosh was dubbed a “absolute pleasure of a guy” by actor Rufus Jones, who created and directed the comedic TV series Home.
“A familiar and hilarious member of the Edinburgh sketch scene when we all started, and went on to create one of the most iconic scene stealers in tv comedy history,” he wrote in X.
During the 2007 Fringe Festival, MacIntosh—who attended Edinburgh University and participated heavily in the university’s comic troupe—performed as part of a double act with Tim FitzHigham.
Along with other celebrities, he starred in a charity music video for Chris Rea’s Driving Home for Christmas in 2009.
Lizzy Cundy, a TV personality, paid tribute to MacIntosh on X, writing: “We danced together in Chris Rea’s Driving Home for Christmas video and we were great friends.” What a charming dude on the inside and out.
“We loved him as Keith in The Office and were lucky enough to work with him over the years on the channel,” tweeted TV station Gold. We are praying for his family and friends at this very trying time.”
“He may have had a famous face known by millions as Keith from The Office, but what I will most remember is the person inside,” MacIntosh’s buddy Ed Scott stated.
“Ewen was so full of empathy, kindness, and integrity and above all a really good man.”
Although MacIntosh’s exact cause of death is unknown, he passed away in the Willow Green Care Home in Darlington.
Scott stated: “Thanks to the incredible care and love provided by the wonderful medical staff and especially the nurses who all loved him when he brought a smile to their days.”
There will be a joyous memorial event later in the year, and a private cremation for family and close friends, according to the actor’s agency Just Right Management.
