‘The Office’ Star Dies Aged 50, Ricky Gervais Leads Tributes

Ewen MacIntosh, who was best known for playing the lovable accountant Keith Bishop in the original British version of The Office, has sadly passed away at the age of 50. MacIntosh’s management company announced the news on X earlier today:

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

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

Ricky Gervais, who starred as Wernham Hogg manager David Brent and also co-wrote and co-produced the series with Stephen Merchant, has paid tribute to the late star on X, saying:

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.

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

Related: “Alternate” Version of ‘The Office’ Season 7 Gets Imminent Release Date

Unsurprisingly, tributes from fans have already started pouring in. One wrote:

Sorry to hear that. He was perfect for deadpan comedy. Pioneered it into modern screen in fact. Will never look at a Scotch Egg the same way ever again. Sad day. RIP Ewen.

Sorry to hear that. He was perfect for deadpan comedy. Pioneered it into modern screen in fact. Will never look at a Scotch Egg the same way ever again. Sad day. RIP Ewen.

— Andrew Mulder McCoi5t E5q. (@ojmiester87) February 21, 2024

Another said they “loved seeing him” in Netflix’s Afterlife, which reunited Macintosh with his Office co-star Ricky Gervais:

Sad, loved seeing him after year’s in Afterlife! He will be missed

Sad 😓, loved seeing him after year's in Afterlife! He will be missed

— Daniel Sherlock (@mcsherlocks) February 21, 2024

@MrStephenTee said that the actor’s career in “making people laugh” is a “lovely eulogy”:

Oh no, that’s so sad! I don’t know if you’ve all seen it, but the outtakes of him and the cast of The Office are unbelievably hilarious! What a lovely eulogy, making people laugh

Oh no, that's so sad! I don't know if you've all seen it, but the outtakes of him and the cast of The Office are unbelievably hilarious!😹🤣

What a lovely eulogy, making people laugh💙https://t.co/dowHlVWb3whttps://t.co/KsWeaaFz8shttps://t.co/9gN1GnvJWG

— Stephen Tee (@MrStephenTee) February 21, 2024

Related: ‘The Office’ Has a Secret Employee Hiding Off Camera!

The late actor played “Big Keith” in both seasons of The Office (2001 — 2003) and the two-part Christmas special. His character was best known for making awkward comments during already-awkward moments, often in the breakroom with Tim Canterbury (Martin Freeman) and Dawn Tinsley (Lucy Davis) while enjoying a Scotch egg. His character also inspired accountant Kevin Malone (Brian Baumgartner) in the popular US version of the show.

Following his role in The Office, MacIntosh appeared in several British sitcoms such as Miranda, Little Britain, and Afterlife and even starred in the West End show Geek! A New Musical. He also enjoyed a career in radio and film.

Related: ‘The Office’ Star Discusses Reuniting With Whole Cast for Movie Adaptation

The Office (UK) is currently available on BBC iPlayer (in the UK). It stars Ricky Gervais (David Brent), Martin Freeman (Tim Canterbury), Lucy Davis (Dawn Tinsley), Mackenzie Crook (Gareth Keenan), Ewen Macintosh (Keith Bishop), Ralph Ineson (Chris Finch), Stirling Gallacher (Jennifer Taylor-Clarke), Oliver Chris (Ricky Howard), Patrick Baladi (Neil Godwin), and Joel Beckett (Lee).

A female-led reboot of the original UK version of the show tentatively titled The Office (Australia) is currently in development. It will launch on Amazon Prime Video worldwide (excluding the US) this year.

The Office (US) is available on several streaming platforms.

What’s your favorite Keith moment from The Office? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below.

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