The actor Ewen MacIntosh, best known for his role as “Big Keith” in the British version of “The Office”, has died at the age of 50, announced this Wednesday on X Ricky Gervais, the creator of the cult series .
“Very sad news.
The very funny and very charming Ewen Macintosh, known to many as
Big Keith
from The Office, has died,” wrote the latter, also playing David Brent, the boss of the famous paper sales company in the series .
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
A humorous series recounting the lives of employees of a small paper company - the Wernham-Hogg Paper Company -, "The Office" enjoyed significant success upon its release in 2001 (broadcast from 2002 in France), earning it be adapted four years later in the United States, with Steve Carell in the role of the boss in particular.
“Keith Bishop”, the character played by MacIntosh in the British version of the series, has the particularity of liking Scotch eggs (eggs cooked in sausage meat) and regularly repeats that he would have preferred a career as a as DJ.
He is notably present during the cult scene of his skills assessment during which he cites “his eczema” in the “weaknesses” category.
Ewen MacIntosh has also appeared in other British comedies, including "Miranda" and "Little Britain."
According to the BBC, the actor died in a retirement and care home in Darlington, in the north of England.
The cause of his death has not been specified.