Ewen MacIntosh, comedian of British sitcom 'The Office', dies at 50

Ewen MacIntosh, a British actor and comedian known for his deadpan portrayal of Keith Bishop, a lackluster accountant on the critically acclaimed British sitcom “The Office,” has died. He was 50.

He died Monday, his management company Just Right Management said, but a cause of death was not given. The company said in a social media post that Mr MacIntosh was receiving support from a care home before he died.

Mr. MacIntosh has played roles in several comedy series, including the British sitcom “Miranda” and the sketch series “Little Britain.” But it was “The Office” that would become his most famous role, as a socially awkward accountant working at a boring branch of a paper company.

The mockumentary series, created by comedians Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, aired in 2001 and focused on the horrors and trivial lives of office workers. It spanned two series and a Christmas special, and its comedic approach was praised by critics and audiences alike.

The show later inspired an Emmy-winning American counterpart that lasted nine seasons and also attracted enthusiastic audiences.

Referring to Mr. MacIntosh as “Big Keith,” one of his nicknames on “The Office,” Mr. Gervais called him “an absolute original.” in a social media post Wednesday.

This is a development story.