Penelope Keith, the famous British sitcom star The good lifeHe died. She was 86 years old.
A statement issued to the BBC on Monday, on behalf of her family, said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that Mrs Penelope Keith passed away peacefully while suffering from cancer at her home in Surrey where she lived for over 50 years… The family is grateful for the care and support she received throughout her treatment, and asks that their privacy be respected at this time.”
The actress is best known for playing the arrogant social climber Margaret “Margo” Leadbetter The good lifea gold show with the title Good neighbors In the United States and lasted from 1975 to 1978.
The series was hugely popular in Keith’s native United Kingdom, following the mid-life crisis of 40-year-old plastics designer Tom Goode (Richard Briers), who attempts to escape a rat race lifestyle by becoming completely self-sufficient in suburban London with his wife Barbara (Felicity Kendall). Margo, the couple’s loyal conservative neighbour, disapproved of the couple’s decisions, and Keith’s performance won her the 1977 BAFTA TV Award for Best Light Entertainment. In 1978, she won another BAFTA TV Award – this time for Best Actress – for her role in the film Norman conquests.
Born in Surrey in 1940, Keith traversed television, film and theater throughout a career that spanned decades. Her other most prominent role came in another show, To Manor Bornas well as comedy series Sweet sixteen, Moving, Executive stress, No job for a lady, Law and chaos and Next of kin. Her filmography includes the likes of the 70s Ghost story And 1981 Priest of love.
In 2013, she played Lady Catherine de Bourgh in the BBC drama Death comes to PemberleyIn 2014, Keith presented three series of Penelope Keith’s Hidden Villages And then, Penelope Keith on Her Majesty’s ServiceYou will visit each of the King’s residences across the UK
In 2014, Keith was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in the New Year Honors for services to the arts and charity.
Late last year, her latest project, a series titled Saving rural homesIt has been announced and is scheduled to be broadcast on Channel 4 in 2026; It is still unclear whether Keith filmed the episodes or whether the show will air.
The actress was a keen gardener and in 1984 a rose was named after her. In 2014 it was presented 4 More goes into gardening She explored the work of garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, and was president of the Actors’ Benevolent Fund from 1990 to 2022, taking over from Laurence Olivier. She was a member of the Board of Trustees of Brooklands Museum and Chair of the South West Surrey Branch of the National Trust until her death.
Keith married Rodney Timpson, a policeman, in 1978. They adopted two sons together.
