'The Office' actor Ewen MacIntosh dies at 50. Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant lead tributes

'The Office' star Ewen MacIntosh died in England at 50. (Image credit: @rickygervais/X)

Ewen MacIntosh, renowned for his iconic portrayal of "Big Keith" in The Office (UK), has died today, BBC reported. The 50-year-old actor and comedian, who brought the lovably dull accountant Keith Bishop to life, was rushed to the hospital before he passed but the cause of death has not been made public.

MacIntosh portrayed Keith Bishop, the scotch egg-loving accountant from the fictional paper company Wernham Hogg in The Office. Ricky Gervais, the show's creator, led tributes on X, describing MacIntosh as "an absolute original."

“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,” Gervais wrote.

This was for Keith’s appraisal scene pic.twitter.com/q29qYryp2M

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) February 21, 2024

So very sad to hear of Ewen MacIntosh’s passing. A lovely, uniquely funny man who played Keith in The Office. So hilarious when we asked him to improv a voicemail message that we wrote more dialogue for him, and he stole every scene he was in. A total one-off. A tragic loss. RIP pic.twitter.com/tEuaUoeWaC

— Stephen Merchant (@StephenMerchant) February 21, 2024

Ricky Gervais' ‘After Life’ featured MacIntosh as "Buffet Man," banned from an all-you-can-eat restaurant. Matt Lucas, comedian and TV presenter, expressed deep sorrow at MacIntosh's passing, highlighting his sweetness, intelligence, and humility.

MacIntosh's cause of death remains undisclosed. He died at Willow Green Care Home in Darlington, England.

As a final farewell, MacIntosh's agency, Just Right Management, announced a private cremation for family and close friends, with a memorial service planned later in the year.