Keith from The Office suffered ‘unwell well being’ for 2 years earlier than dying
Ewen MacIntosh, the comic and actor who performed ‘Big Keith’ in The Office, suffered ‘unwell well being’ for 2 years earlier than his dying – however he was nonetheless making folks snigger till the very finish.
MacIntosh, who died aged 50 of ‘undisclosed causes’ on Monday, was greatest recognized for taking part in a Scotch egg-loving accountant in Ricky Gervais‘ BBC sitcom which turned an on the spot comedy basic when it hit screens 23 years in the past.
The Welsh actor, who additionally appeared in British comedies akin to After Life, Miranda and Little Britain, had shared a photograph of himself in hospital in February 2022 and instructed his followers that he was struggling ‘unhealthy instances’. He sadly by no means recovered from ‘unwell well being’.
Despite the big success of The Office, MacIntosh was declared bankrupt in 2016. Big appearing roles have been restricted after this and he went on to discover a new supply of earnings, making particular movies as Keith on web sites akin to Cameo throughout Covid.
The actor’s expertise company JustRight Management stated at present: ‘Ewen was a beautiful actor and a good higher human being. He made folks snigger and possessed such a sort coronary heart. He touched the lives of all who got here into contact with him.
‘Ewen suffered from unwell well being these previous two years and handed peacefully on February 19 from undisclosed causes.
‘His household are heartened by and deeply respect all of the outpouring of affection for Ewen however would respect the privateness for them to grieve at this very troublesome time. Ewen will likely be so very dearly missed. Godspeed Ewen.’
MacIntosh was being taken care of on the Willow Green Care residence in Darlington in Country Durham. They provide residential, dementia, nursing and respite care.
His good friend Ed Scott, an govt producer, stated: ‘Thanks to the unimaginable care and love supplied by the great medical workers and particularly the nurses who all cherished him when he introduced a smile to their days.
Actor and comic Ewen MacIntosh, who starred as Keith Bishop in The Office, has died aged 50. He is pictured right here throughout a hilarious scene the place he’s given an appraisal by David Brent (Ricky Gervais)
The Office solid are pictured throughout Series 2. MacIntosh will be seen second from the left within the again row
His reason for dying has not been confirmed however pals hailed the ’empathy and unimaginable care’ of medical workers and nurses. MacIntosh is pictured right here in August 2017
In 2022, The Office star was rushed to hospital and stated he was struggling ‘unhealthy instances’
It was Gervais who led the tributes this morning, posting on X: ‘Extremely unhappy information. The very humorous and really beautiful Ewen Macintosh, recognized to many as ‘Big Keith’ from The Office, has handed away. An absolute authentic. RIP.’
Gervais additionally shared this hilarious sketch from the sitcom and penned: ‘A day with out laughter is a day wasted.’
In one iconic scene from the present between Big Keith and Tim Canterbury (performed by Martin Freeman), MacIntosh hilariously takes a big, sluggish chunk out of a Scotch egg whereas Freeman discusses performing a sexual act on himself
‘I noticed first hand the empathy and unimaginable care they gave him was simply so reassuring throughout the hardest of instances and am ceaselessly grateful to all of them.’
JustRight Management added: ‘His household thank all who supported him, particularly Willow Green Care Home.’
The care residence says on its web site that it ‘goals to make sure that our residents get pleasure from a cheerful, comfy and protected surroundings the place independence and private wants are all the time thought-about by compassionate and extremely educated workers’.
MacIntosh, who’s survived by his mother and father and brother, is just not believed to have been married or had youngsters.
Gervais led the tributes this morning, writing on X/Twitter: ‘Extremely unhappy information. The very humorous and really beautiful Ewen Macintosh, recognized to many as ‘Big Keith’ from The Office, has handed away. An absolute authentic. RIP.’
Meanwhile Mr Scott, the CEO of Dodged A Bullet Music, stated he was ‘utterly devastated’ by the lack of his ‘excellent good friend’, including: ‘He might have had a well-known face recognized by hundreds of thousands as Keith from The Office however the individual inside is what I’ll most keep in mind.’
He continued: ‘Ewen was so filled with empathy, kindness, and integrity and above all a extremely good man.
‘Sending like to his mother and father Sara and Ewen Sr, his brother Colin and his household, in addition to his many pals and followers.’
MacIntosh appeared in The Office from its first collection in 2001, taking part in the position of an accountant with a ardour for Scotch eggs.
In one iconic scene from the present between Big Keith and Tim Canterbury (performed by Martin Freeman), MacIntosh hilariously takes a big, sluggish chunk out of a Scotch egg whereas Freeman discusses performing a sexual act on himself.
In an interview with Vice in 2021, MacIntosh joked that he had no concept why Scotch eggs have been chosen as his signature meals and revealed the difficulties he and Freeman confronted filming the scene.
‘My first scene with Martin [Freeman], the place I eat the Scotch egg – we had bother doing that for some purpose. It took ages to get that carried out. I acquired by means of a number of Scotch eggs. I wasn’t instructed about it. The props man nipped out and purchased them final minute,’ he stated.
As followers of The Office woke as much as the devastating information, many have pledged to have a Scotch egg within the late actor’s honour.
MacIntosh may even be remembered for a well-known scene by which he’s given an appraisal by workplace supervisor David Brent (Ricky Gervais).
As Brent lists off Keith’s strengths and weaknesses, MacIntosh chews his gum and responds ‘do not know’ to all the pieces he’s quizzed on.
Tributes have poured in to the actor, who was greatest recognized for his position in Ricky Gervais ‘ hit sitcom
Ewen MacIntosh as Keith Bishop (seen right here dressed up as Ali G) in collection two of the comedy sitcom ‘The Office’
Confirming the tragic information, his good friend Ed Scott wrote: ‘I’m utterly devastated by the lack of my excellent good friend Ewen MacIntosh.’
Ewen Macintosh on the premiere for ‘David Brent: Life On The Road’ at Odeon Leicester Square on August 10, 2016. He is holding up a Scotch egg
MacIntosh additionally appeared in British comedy Little Britain
And he was additionally given a kiss by Miranda Hart on her comedy present
Ewen MacIntosh as Keith Bishop, DJing on the Wernham Hogg Christmas Party, in The Office
Ewen MacIntosh and Joel Beckett are pictured on an episode of ‘The Comedy Years’
Ewen McIntosh is pictured in Murder in Suburbia in 2004 with Lisa Faulkner and Caroline Catz
‘Big Keith’ had a monotone answerphone message and wished to turn into DJ over being an accountant. Among his most memorable moments was when he dressed up as Ali G for Red Nose Day.
Despite quite a few workers modifications on the fictional Wernham Hogg paper agency, ‘Keith’ remained within the collection till its final episode in 2003.
Out Of Office, The Office podcast, additionally stated MacIntosh would ‘all the time be fondly remembered firstly as an incredible man, but in addition as a key a part of the best British sitcom of all time. An glorious legacy to go away. RIP.’
As effectively as The Office, MacIntosh additionally partnered again up with Gervais when he starred within the last collection of After Life as ‘Buffet Man’ – a bloke who had been barred from an all-you-can-eat restaurant.
MacIntosh additionally featured in sitcoms Lead Balloon and Mongrels, whereas he had a small position in Yorgos Lanthimos’s movie The Lobster the place he performed a waiter reverse Colin Farrell and Olivia Colman.
As a comic, he had a double act with Tim FitzHigham and the pair carried out on the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2007.
One of his last appearing credit was when he performed Lionel within the British romcom Finding Fatimah.
But it was Keith that MacIntosh will likely be greatest remembered for. He admitted within the Vice interview that folks would usually unintentionally name him Keith as a substitute of Ewen – even on units.
MacIntosh additionally stated he ‘cannot actually complain’ in regards to the reputation he gained from taking part in Keith as ‘it is made me cash’. The actor would often ship movies as Keith on the app Cameo.
Speaking in regards to the demand on Cameo, MacIntosh stated on the time: ‘People all the time desire a message from Keith, by no means from me. He’s nonetheless getting me work, which is sort of superb when you consider it. When the lockdowns began, I used to be doing about 30 every week. Now it is right down to possibly 10 or 20.’
Ewen MacIntosh attends the Legends of Football fundraiser at The Grosvenor House Hotel on October 2, 2017 i
Ewen MacIntosh and actor Giles Vickers-Jones on the Ice Bar in London in January 2007
TV channel Gold stated: ‘We cherished him as Keith in The Office and have been fortunate sufficient to work with him over time on the channel. Our ideas exit to his household and pals at such a troublesome time.’
Comedy producer Gina Lyons wrote: ‘Heartbroken to listen to a really particular good friend Ewen MacIntosh has handed away. He was such an extremely sort and humorous individual. Eternally cherished.’
Following his dying, tributes poured in from social media customers, with many sharing his hilarious Scotch egg scene with Freeman.
One consumer posted: ‘Really unhappy to listen to about Ewen Macintosh RIP. He was so good in The Office because the scotch egg consuming DJ accountant.’
Another wrote: ‘Terrible information about Ewen MacIntosh, aka Big Keith from The Office. He turned what might have been a nothing position into one thing actually iconic, one of many nice comedy performances. RIP.’
A 3rd stated: ‘How extremely unhappy. So many iconic moments in The Office. I solely ever heard beautiful issues about him from individuals who had labored with him.’
And a fourth, sharing a clip of the Appraisals episode, posted: ‘Sad to listen to the information about Ewen MacIntosh – due to him for among the best scenes from the UK Office. Never will get outdated.’
Others vowed to have a Scotch egg in MacIntosh’s honour. One wrote: ‘Rip Ewen MacIntosh aka Big Keith. I’m going to decorate up as Ali G, have a Scotch egg, rewatch The Office as a tribute.’
Another wrote: ‘I’ll have a Scotch egg later for Big Keith.’
A 3rd shared: ‘Ah man that is unhappy. Saw Ewen stay supporting Ricky Gervais and he was extraordinarily humorous and entertaining together with his dry and useless pan humour. Rip Keith mate. I’ll have a Scotch egg for you.’
