Ewen MacIntosh, renowned for his role as Keith Bishop in the British comedy series “The Office,” passed away on February 19 at the age of 50, as reported by The New York Times. While the cause of his death remains undisclosed, his management company revealed that MacIntosh had been grappling with health issues for the past two years. JustRight Management, in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), announced his peaceful passing and expressed gratitude to all who had supported him, particularly Willow Green Care Home. They also announced plans for a private cremation for family and close friends, with a celebratory memorial to follow later in the year.
Ricky Gervais, MacIntosh’s co-star and creator of “The Office,” expressed deep sorrow at the news, tweeting, “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.”
In the years leading up to his death, MacIntosh hinted at his health struggles. In February 2022, he shared a photo from what appeared to be a hospital bed, accompanied by a message acknowledging difficult times. Fans flooded him with well wishes, some humorously referencing his character’s fondness for Scotch eggs, a recurring motif in “The Office.” Reflecting on his time on the show, MacIntosh recounted memorable scenes involving Scotch eggs, including one with co-star Martin Freeman that proved particularly challenging to film.
Despite his iconic portrayal of Keith Bishop, MacIntosh enjoyed a successful career beyond “The Office.” He reunited with Gervais for the Netflix series “After Life,” making a brief cameo as a character ejected from an all-you-can-eat buffet. In interviews, MacIntosh acknowledged the potential for typecasting in the industry but embraced his strengths with humor, recognizing that not every actor can be a Benedict Cumberbatch.
The passing of Ewen MacIntosh marks a significant loss for fans of “The Office” and the entertainment industry as a whole. His talent, humor, and memorable performances will continue to be celebrated and cherished by audiences worldwide.
