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Ewen MacIntosh, actor who rose to fame with the role of Keith Bishop in the popular British television comedy ‘The Office’, died on Monday in the city of Darlington, England, according to The Mirror.
The news of his death was announced by Just Right, the company that represented him, in a statement shared by the same medium: “Ewen was a wonderful actor and an even better human being. He made people laugh and had a big heart. He touched the lives of everyone who knew him.”
The actor will be cremated in a private ceremony and a memorial will be organized later in the year. In the message, Just Right added that the family is moved by the expressions of affection they have received, but they ask for privacy in these difficult times.
The comedian co-creator of ‘The Office’, Ricky Gervais was the first public figure to speak out after the news: “Extremely sad news. The very funny and very charming Ewen Macintosh, known to many as ‘Big Keith’ from The Office, has died. An absolute original. May he rest in peace.”
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. pic.twitter.com/Hhd3zkRVMs
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) February 21, 2024
What did Ewen MacIntosh die of?
According to information from The Guardian, Chelle Just, owner of Ewen’s representation company, confirmed that the actor had been suffering from health problems for two years. She did not clarify the specific reasons, but said he died peacefully.
In the statement, Just Right also thanks Willow Green Care Home, a home for older adults or people who require special care.
Two years ago, MacIntosh wrote a less than encouraging message to his fans via his social media: “These are bad times for me, I’m afraid, friends. Stay strong” and he added a photo showing him in a hospital.
Who was the actor Ewen MacIntosh?
Since the first broadcast in 2001, MacIntosh played ‘Big Keith’ in the BBC series, a character remembered for being a non-expressive accountant who worked in the accounts department of Wernham Hogg Paper, the company in the fiction. Keith dreamed of quitting his job and becoming a DJ.
The actor was born in Merionethshire, Wales, studied linguistics at the University of Edinburgh and it was there where he began to get involved in acting with the theater company.
Although he played other roles on British television, ‘The Office’ was the one that made him known to the public. In 2022 he made a brief appearance in ‘After Life’, a comedy-drama series created and directed by Gervais, and that was his last related activity.