R.I.P. Ewen MacIntosh, The Office (U.K.) star

MacIntosh played Keith in the U.K. version of the office, and also appeared in dozens of other comedy series

By Emma Keates  |  February 21, 2024 | 9:34pm
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R.I.P. Ewen MacIntosh, The Office (U.K.) star
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Ewen MacIntosh—best known for his role as “Big Keith” in the original, U.K. version of The Office—has died. In a statement confirming the news (via Sky News), MacIntosh’s management company wrote that “Ewen was a wonderful actor and an even better human being” who “touched the lives of all who came into contact with him.” He was 50.

Originally hailing from Wales, MacIntosh appeared in a variety of roles throughout his career, from Little Britain to After Life and even a small part in Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster. His breakout and best-known role, however, occurred in Ricky Gervais’ landmark comedy The Office, in which he played Keith from the accounting department. Known for his deadpan delivery, MacIntosh’s character became a quick fan favorite. It’s not hard to see why in scenes like the below, where Keith shares his strengths and weaknesses in a performance review (accounting and eczema respectively).

MacIntosh’s performance in the appraisal scene won The Office a “comedy moment of the year” award, which Ricky Gervais shared on his Twitter/X account today. “Extremely sad news,” the comedian wrote in a separate post. “The very funny and very lovely Ewen Macintosh, known to many as ‘Big Keith’ from The Office, has passed away An absolute original. RIP.”

Gervais’ co-creator, Stephen Merchant, also posted a tribute on his own account: “So very sad to hear of Ewen MacIntosh’s passing. A lovely, uniquely funny man who played Keith in The Office. So hilarious when we asked him to improv a voicemail message that we wrote more dialogue for him, and he stole every scene he was in. A total one-off. A tragic loss. RIP”

MacIntosh most recently appeared in the holiday horror film Nightmare On 34th Street, which premiered in December 2023. He is credited in two upcoming projects on IMDb: For The Love Of Ella, in which he stars as a mad scientist who falls in love with a beautiful woman, and a “comedy caper” called Fizzy Days.

 
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