Beloved Icon of British Comedy Ronnie Corbett Dead at 85
Ronnie Corbett, a beloved icon in British comedy, has died at the age of 85 after a lengthy illness. His death was confirmed by his publicist Thursday morning.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1952, Corbett gained national attention with his work on The Frost Report, David Frost’s satirical comedy news program. He later worked with fellow Frost report alumnus Ronnie Barker in the popular BBC sketch comedy show The Two Ronnies from 1971 to 1987.
Corbett was an avid golfer, as well as a successful actor, comedian, broadcaster, and writer. He was an influential figure in comedy and pop culture in the United Kingdom.
“Just heard about Ronnie C. So Sad. He had the best timing I’ve ever watched. He was a great, kind mentor and a wonderfully witty companion,” John Cleese Tweeted. The diminutive Corbett had appeared alongside Cleese and Barker in “The Class Sketch,” one of the most repeated sketches in British television history, lampooning the stodgy British upper, middle, and lower-class caste system.
“RIP the lovely, funny legend Ronnie Corbett. It was an absolute honour & joy to have known him,” Tweeted Ricky Gervais.
He had been diagnosed with motor neuron disease in March 2015.
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