Introduction
Ronnie Corbett was a well-known actor, broadcaster, comedian and writer from Scotland.
In the BBC television comic sketch show The Two Ronnies, he and Ronnie Barker worked together for a very long time. He rose to fame in David Frost’s satirical comedy series The Frost Report from the 1960s (with Barker), and he later appeared in sitcoms including No – That’s Me Over Here!, Now Look Here, and Sorry!
Ronnie Corbett was awarded with CBE and OBE for his services and contributions.
Career of Ronnie Corbett
With a height of 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 meters), Corbett was ideal for parts that required him to act younger. His self-deprecating humor regularly made use of his height. In 1956, he co-starred with Graham Stark in Take it Easy at Cromer, where he made one of his early theatrical appearances under the name “Ronald Corbett.”
In the show’s early seasons, he made regular appearances and shared an episode with Winifred Atwell. He appeared in movies such as You’re Only Young Twice (1952), Rockets Galore! (1957), Casino Royale (1967), Some Will, Some Won’t (1970), and the film adaptation of the farce No Sex Please, We’re British. He had a walk-on in an early episode of the 1960s television series The Saint under the name “Ronald Corbett” (1973).
Alongside Bob Monkhouse, Corbett played Dromio of Syracuse in the inaugural London production of the musical The Boys from Syracuse in 1963 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
He performed cabaret at Danny La Rue’s Mayfair nightclub Winston’s in 1965. After seeing him, David Frost invited him to participate on The Frost Report.
The Two Ronnies, Corbett and Ronnie Barker’s BBC television comedy program, aired from 1971 until 1987. Sketches and musical performances were given by Barker and Corbett. Corbett delivered a solo speech.
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He would drag out delivering a basic joke over many minutes while sitting in a big easy chair (emphasizing his short stature) and typically donning a Lyle & Scott golfing V-neck sweater. He frequently allowed himself to appear to lose his line of thought.
Apart from The Two Ronnies, Corbett is best remembered for his performance as the 40-something, mother-dominated Timothy Lumsden in the sitcom Sorry! (1981–88). He made his television debut in 1996 on Jimmy Tarbuck’s short-lived BBC game show Full Swing. In the 1997 movie Fierce Creatures, created by his former Frost Report coworker John Cleese, Corbett portrayed Reggie Sea Lions.
For The Two Ronnies Sketchbook, which combined comic sketches from their original series with freshly recorded connecting material, Corbett and Ronnie Barker joined together once more in 2005.
Additionally in March 2005, Corbett co-starred in the Comic Relief-related music video for the number one hit “Is This the Way to Amarillo?” with comic Peter Kay.
In the movie Extras from 2006, Corbett portrayed a fictionalized version of himself who was busted using drugs at the BAFTA Awards. In Little Britain Abroad, in which Bubbles DeVere attempted to woo him, he also played himself. He inaugurated the Henry Blogg-named center at Cromer, Norfolk.
On October 21, 2007, Corbett was the castaway on the BBC Radio 4 program Desert Island Discs. He made an appearance in a Gordon Ramsay episode of The F Word in 2007. He appeared in a Sarah Jane Adventures episode for Red Nose Day 2009 as a Slitheen. On November 7, 2009, he participated in a televised interview for Piers Morgan’s Life Stories to discuss his life.
When The Dog Dies, a comedy on BBC Radio 4, featuring Corbett starting in 2010. He collaborated once more on the series with Sorry!, authors Ian Davidson and Peter Vincent. For another three seasons, the show made a comeback on BBC Radio Four.
Basic Info of Ronnie Corbett
| Real Name | Ronald Balfour Corbett |
| Birth Date | 4 December 1930 |
| Age | 85 years |
| Birth Place | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Profession | Actor, Broadcaster, Comedian and Writer |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Sun sign | Sagittarius |
Physical Statistics of Ronnie Corbett
| Height | 5’ 1” |
| Weight | Not Known |
| Shoe Size | Not Known |
| Hair Color | Not Known |
| Eye Color | Not Known |
Qualifications & Education
| School | James Gillespie’s Boys School |
| College | Royal High School |
Family of Ronnie Corbett
| Father | William Balfour Corbett |
| Mother | Annie Elizabeth Corbett |
| Sister | Margaret Corbett |
| Brother | Allan Corbett |
Marriage, Relationships & Family
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Anne Hart |
| Children |
|
Death of Ronnie Corbett
| Date | 31 March 2016 |
| Place | Shirley, London |
| Funeral | 18 April 2016, at St John the Evangelist Church |
Personal Life
The son of master baker William Balfour Corbett (1898-1974) and his London-born wife Annie Elizabeth Corbett (née Main; 1900-1991), Corbett was born on December 4, 1930, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Allan, his brother, was around six years younger than him, while Margaret, his sister, was about 10 years younger.
Corbett’s grandpa is mentioned in early 20th-century church history as being the senior organist at Scotland’s St. Andrews Church.
The shortest commissioned officer in the British Forces during his national service, Corbett served with the Royal Air Force. On May 25, 1950, he was appointed a pilot officer (national service) in the RAF’s secretarial department after enlisting as an aircraftman 2nd class with Service No. 2446942.
On October 28, 1951, he completed his active duty by transferring to the R.A.F. Reserve (National Service List). On September 6, 1952, he received the flying officer promotion.
Corbett wed actress and dancer Anne Hart on May 30, 1966; the couple had two children, actors Emma and Sophie Corbett. Emma Corbett, Sophie Corbett, and Andrew Corbett were his children.
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Their first child, Andrew, was born with a heart abnormality and passed away at the age of six weeks. From 1970 to 2003, Corbett resided in Addington, London. For many years, Corbett resided in Shirley, Croydon, England. In Scotland’s East Lothian, he also had a residence.
He raised hives at his second property in East Lothian as a beekeeper. Corbett did not attend college; instead, he received his education at the city’s Royal High School and James Gillespie’s Boys School.
After finishing school, he made the decision to pursue acting while taking part in amateur theater productions at a church youth group. But he started off working for the Ministry of Agriculture.
Barker and Corbett, according to Corbett, were brought together as two grammar school guys who had not attended college. Comedy skits, music, and monologues all made up the program.
The idea of Corbett and Barker as a team was starting to take hold. The Two Ronnies, Corbett and Ronnie Barker’s BBC television comedy program, aired from 1971 until 1987.
In the 2012 New Year Honours, Corbett—who was already an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)—was elevated to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to entertainment and charity. He received an honorary degree from the Queen Margaret Personal LifeUniversity College in Edinburgh in 2002.
Corbett played golf and participated in celebrity and pro-am tournaments. In 2009, he and Colin Montgomerie shot a documentary at Gleneagles. Corbett, a devoted supporter of cricket, served as president of the Lord’s Taverners charity.
In the presence of his family, Corbett passed away at Shirley Oaks Hospital in Shirley, London, on March 31, 2016, at the age of 85. In March 2015, he received a motor neurone disease diagnosis.
There is little question that millions of people will remember Corbett warmly for being not just one-half of one of the most popular comedy duos of all time, but also for being a very superb entertainer. He is a magnetic and incredibly likeable man.
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