Ronnie Corbett
Scottish comedian and actor, half of The Two Ronnies.
Ronnie Corbett was a Scottish comedian and actor, best known for his long-running partnership with Ronnie Barker in the BBC Television comedy sketch show *The Two Ronnies* (1971–87). He became known for his meandering chair monologues, and starred in sitcoms such as *No – That's Me Over Here!* Born in Edinburgh in 1930, Corbett was educated at local schools and first pursued acting through amateur theatricals at a church youth club. After national service with the Royal Air Force, where he became the shortest commissioned officer in the British Forces, he moved to London to begin his professional career. His early television appearances included the children’s show *Crackerjack* and a walk-on role in *The Saint*. He also appeared in films such as *Casino Royale* and *No Sex Please, We’re British*. Corbett gained prominence after David Frost saw him perform in a Mayfair nightclub and invited him onto *The Frost Report* (1966–67). There, he first worked with Ronnie Barker, and the two were drawn together as state-school performers among a cast of Oxbridge graduates. In one of the show’s most famous sketches, the Class sketch, Corbett’s small stature provided the visual and satirical cue for his character to “look up” to John Cleese and Barker. Following *The Frost Report*, Corbett starred in the sitcom *No – That's Me Over Here!* and its sequels *Now Look Here* and *The Prince of Denmark*. He also hosted *The Corbett Follies* and released a novelty single. *The Two Ronnies* ran for sixteen years, featuring sketches and musical numbers, with Corbett delivering his signature monologues from a large easy chair, often wearing a golfing sweater. After the show ended, his best-known role was as the mother-dominated Timothy Lumsden in the sitcom *Sorry!* Corbett was married to dancer Anne Hart for 49 years, until his death in 2016.
- field
- Comedian, actor
- nationality
- Scottish
- known_for
- The Two Ronnies, meandering chair monologues, sitcom Sorry!
Verified Timeline
Quick Facts
- Honorific Suffix
- country=GBR · CBE · size=100%
- Birth Name
- Ronald Balfour Corbett
- Birth Date
- 1930-12-04
- Birth Place
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Death Date
- 2016-03-31
- Death Place
- Shirley, London, England
- Resting Place
- Croydon Cemetery, Croydon, London, England
- Occupation
- Comedian · actor
- Years Active
- 1952–2014
- Height
- 5 ft 1 in
- Spouse
- Anne Hart · 30 May 1966
- Children
- 3
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Corbett was born at The Royal Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh, the son of a master baker. After leaving school he decided he wanted to be an actor while performing in amateur theatricals at a church youth club, though his first job was with the Ministry of Agriculture. Following national service, Corbett moved to London to start his acting career. At 5 ft 1 in tall, he was suited to playing roles younger than his years. He appeared in Crackerjack as a regular in its early days and had a walk-on in an early episode of The Saint. He achieved prominence and began performing with Ronnie Barker in David Frost's satirical comedy programme The Frost Report (1966–67). Corbett and Barker were drawn together as two grammar school or state secondary school boys who had not gone to university. Corbett's BBC television comedy show with Ronnie Barker, The Two Ronnies, ran from 1971 to 1987. Corbett presented a monologue sitting in a large easy chair, usually wearing a Lyle & Scott golfing V-neck sweater, stretching a simple joke over several minutes.
Reader's Guide
Ronnie Corbett's significance lies in his long-running partnership with Ronnie Barker on The Two Ronnies, a cornerstone of British television comedy from 1971 to 1987. His distinctive meandering chair monologues became a signature, showcasing his ability to extract humour from simple premises through timing and self-deprecation. Corbett's height (5 ft 1 in) was frequently referenced in his humour and provided visual cues in sketches such as the Class sketch on The Frost Report. His career spanned from early roles in Crackerjack and The Saint to later appearances in charity music videos and game shows. Corbett's legacy endures as a beloved figure in British comedy, remembered for his gentle, understated style and his enduring partnership with Ronnie Barker.
Did You Know?
- Corbett was born at The Royal Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh, the son of a master baker.
- After leaving school, his first job was with the Ministry of Agriculture.
- At 5 ft 1 in tall, he was suited to playing roles younger than his years.
- He appeared in Crackerjack as a regular in its early days and had a walk-on in an early episode of The Saint.
- Corbett and Barker were drawn together as two grammar school or state secondary school boys who had not gone to university.
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