Ronnie Corbett

Scottish stand-up comedian, actor, writer, broadcaster, and comedian (1930-2016)

Ronald Balfour Corbett CBE (4 December 1930 – 31 March 2016)[1][2] was a Scottish comedian, writer, actor, and broadcaster. He was a member of the Corbett family. He was best known for his long association with Ronnie Barker in the BBC television comedy sketch show The Two Ronnies.

Ronnie Corbett

Corbett in 2010
Born
Ronald Balfour Corbett

(1930-12-04)4 December 1930
Edinburgh, Scotland
Died31 March 2016(2016-03-31) (aged 85)
Cause of deathMotor neurone disease
Resting placeCroydon Crematorium
NationalityScottish
OccupationComedian • writer • actor • broadcaster
Years active1952–2014
Height154 cm (5 ft 1 in)
Spouse
(m. 1966)
ChildrenAndrew • EmmaSophie
RelativesDylan Corbett-Bader (grandson)
FamilyCorbett

Early life

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Ronald Balfour Corbett was born at Edinburgh Royal Maternity Hospital and Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion in Edinburgh, Scotland on 4 December 1930. He was the son of William Balfour Corbett (1898–1974), a master baker, and his London-born wife Annie Elizabeth Corbett (née Main; 1900–1991). He had a brother, Allan, and a sister, Margaret.[3]

Personal life

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Corbett married the actress and dancer Anne Hart at Brixton registry office on 30 May 1966.[4] The couple had two daughters, Emma and Sophie. Their first child, Andrew, had a heart defect and died when he was six weeks old, at St Thomas' Hospital, in London. He had four grandchildren, including Dylan Corbett-Bader. Corbett and Hart first met during the late 1950s. He was an up-and-coming comedian and she was working as a dancer at Winston's, Hanover Square, a club owned by Danny La Rue. The couple were married for 49 years until his death on 31 March 2016.[3]

Corbett and Hart lived in a seven bedroom property named Fairways in Addington, London from 1970 to 2003.[5] The couple also owned a Scottish home named Muirfield Wood located in Gullane, East Lothian.[6]

Corbett died at Shirley Oaks Hospital in Shirley, London, England on 31 March 2016, surrounded by his family. He was 85.[1][2] He had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2015.[7]

Corbett's funeral was conducted by Canon Arthur Quinn at St. John the Evangelist near his home in Shirley on 18 April 2016.[8] Mourners included Sir Michael Parkinson, David Walliams, Jimmy Tarbuck, Barry Cryer, and Rob Brydon.[9] His body was cremated following a private service at Croydon Crematorium.[10] His memorial service was held in Westminster Abbey on 7 June 2017. Mourners included Dame Joanna Lumley, Maureen Lipman, Dame Barbara Windsor, and Dame June Whitfield.[11] His widow, Anne Hart, died at Muirfield Wood on 5 November 2023, at the age of 90.[12]

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 "Ronnie Corbett, best known for The Two Ronnies, dies aged 85". BBC News. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Obituary: Ronnie Corbett". BBC News. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Ronnie Corbett". BBC. 21 October 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  4. England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: APR 1966 5d 183 LAMBETH – Ronald B Corbett = Anne M Padley
  5. "Ronnie Corbett's House". Shady Old Lady. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  6. Reporter, Record (31 March 2016). "Drinkers in Ronnie Corbett's local pub in East Lothian light four candles in classic tribute to legendary entertainer". Daily Record. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  7. Baillie, Katie (1 April 2016). "Ronnie Corbett 'died from motor neurone disease' as it's revealed he was due to be knighted in June". Metro. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  8. "Ronnie Corbett funeral to take place in South London". BBC News. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  9. "Stars attend Ronnie Corbett's funeral". BBC News. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  10. Association, Press (18 April 2016). "Ronnie Corbett's funeral attended by stars of British TV's golden age". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  11. "Ronnie Corbett: Stars honour 'remarkable' comedian at memorial service". BBC News. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  12. "Ronnie Corbett's widow, musical star Anne Hart, dies aged 90". BBC News. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.