Dame Penelope Keith of The Good Life Fame Dies at 86

Dame Penelope Anne Constance Keith, better known as simply Penelope Keith, has died at the age of 86. The actress was best known for her roles in sitcoms such as The Good Life and To the Manor Born. Notably, her role in The Good Life earned her a BAFTA in 1977.

The Good Life star Penelope Keith passes away aged 86

Penelope Keith, who made a name for herself as an actress and presenter who was active across several mediums, such as film, radio, stage and television, has passed away at the age of 86.

In addition to her successful acting career, Keith also succeeded famed actor Laurence Olivier as president of the Actors’ Benevolent Fund after his death in 1989, and was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours.

Penelope Keith’s family announced her death in a statement that they released on Monday (via BBC News). “We are deeply saddened to announce that Dame Penelope Keith died peacefully whilst living with cancer at her home in Surrey where she had lived for more than 50 years,” the statement read, “The family is grateful for the care and support she received throughout her treatments, and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”

Born in Surrey, Keith joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963 and went on to win an Olivier Award for best comedy performance in 1976 for her role in Donkey’s Years. She went on to achieve widespread fame through her role as Margo in The Good Life. She followed this up with another successful and memorable role as aristocrat Audrey Forbes-Hamilton in To the Manor Born.

Her other works include Executive Stress, No Job for a Lady, Blithe Spirit, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Death Comes to Pemberley.