Ronnie Corbett Biography Quotes 2 Report mistakes

Early Life and Education
Ronald Balfour Corbett was born on 4 December 1930 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He grew up in a city with a strong theatrical tradition and developed an early interest in performing. He attended the Royal High School, where he appeared in school productions and discovered a knack for timing and character comedy that would later become his hallmark. After finishing school, he completed National Service in the Royal Air Force, an experience that honed his discipline and confidence in front of an audience during station entertainments and service shows.

Early Career
After demobilization, Corbett moved to London and began working his way through the postwar entertainment circuit. He performed in clubs, revues, and pantomimes, gradually winning attention for his compact physicality, quick wit, and genial stage presence. Small roles in television and film followed, as did appearances in variety programs that were then the backbone of British light entertainment. The combination of keen observation, warm delivery, and an ability to pivot between character sketches and straight stand-up made him a natural fit for a newly expanding world of TV comedy.

Breakthrough: The Frost Report
Corbett's national breakthrough came in the mid-1960s with The Frost Report, the satirical series fronted by David Frost. Working alongside a remarkable ensemble that included John Cleese and, crucially, Ronnie Barker, Corbett became part of a creative nucleus that defined a generation of British humour. The show's famous "class" sketch, featuring Corbett, Barker, and Cleese, crystallized his gift for underplaying, his economy of gesture, and his resonance as the everyman figure. Producers such as James Gilbert recognized the chemistry between Corbett and Barker and encouraged their partnership beyond the satirical format.

The Two Ronnies
In 1971 the BBC launched The Two Ronnies, uniting Corbett with Ronnie Barker for what became one of the most beloved comedy series in British television history. The program showcased elaborate wordplay, musical numbers, parody serials, and tightly crafted sketches. Corbett's signature monologues, delivered from an armchair as "the small man in the chair", allowed him to interact conspiratorially with the audience, spinning minor frustrations into comic set-pieces. He also anchored the spoof news desk, excelling at tongue-twisting punch lines and innuendo.

The show's writing pool was a who's who of British comedy scribes, including Andrew Marshall and David Renwick, while Barker himself famously contributed under the pseudonym Gerald Wiley to ensure his material was judged on merit. The "Four Candles" sketch, with Barker as the hardware shopkeeper and Corbett as the customer whose requests are repeatedly misunderstood, became an enduring classic, emblematic of their precision and teamwork. Over sixteen series and numerous specials, The Two Ronnies maintained an unusual consistency, aided by Corbett's impeccable timing and warm rapport with Barker.

Solo Success: Sitcoms and Hosting
Beyond the double act, Corbett enjoyed a substantial solo career. He starred in the BBC sitcom Sorry!, playing the perpetually put-upon Timothy Lumsden, a grown man struggling to assert independence from his overbearing mother. The character deepened Corbett's persona as a nimble interpreter of gentle, humane comedy. Co-stars Barbara Lott and William Moore, as Timothy's parents, gave him a framework for deft reaction and understatement, and the series became one of the era's most popular comedies.

Corbett also demonstrated an easy charm as a presenter, hosting game and variety shows, including the family quiz Small Talk in the 1990s. His light touch, unfussy presence, and skill at drawing out amusing moments without overshadowing participants made him a natural master of ceremonies for televised entertainment and charity events.

Partnership, Reunion, and Colleagues
The bond with Ronnie Barker remained central to Corbett's career and public image. Their mutual respect was evident on screen and off, each allowing the other room to shine. Under producers such as James Gilbert, they developed a show that balanced linguistic play, character comedy, and musical interludes with rare finesse. In 2005, The Two Ronnies Sketchbook reunited the duo to reflect on their best-loved material, a warmly received celebration that underscored their place in British comedy. The special arrived shortly before Barker's death, and Corbett spoke often of his friend's influence, generosity, and professionalism. He also maintained cordial relationships with colleagues from The Frost Report era, including David Frost and John Cleese, acknowledging the crucible that series provided for his later work.

Personal Life
Corbett married the actress and dancer Anne Hart in 1965. Their marriage became a steady anchor amid the demands of show business, and they raised a family together. Friends and colleagues frequently noted Corbett's loyalty and kindness, crediting Anne with helping him balance work with home life. Away from the studio he enjoyed golf and took part in numerous charity events. His natural sociability and fondness for convivial company made him a popular figure both on and off set.

Honours and Recognition
Over the decades, Corbett's contributions to entertainment were recognized with major honors. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of his services to drama and charity. Beyond formal awards, the esteem of peers and public alike testified to his craft. He became a touchstone for the art of economical performance: the well-placed glance, the carefully weighted pause, and the gentle line that lands with unexpected precision.

Later Years and Legacy
In his later years, Corbett continued to appear in specials, interviews, and cameo roles, embodying a living link to the golden age of British television comedy. He remained generous with his time for retrospectives and charity broadcasts, reflecting with humor and gratitude on a career that began in variety halls and matured on the nation's biggest stages. He died on 31 March 2016, prompting tributes from fellow performers, writers, and audiences who had grown up with his work.

Ronnie Corbett's legacy rests on qualities that never go out of fashion: grace under pressure, camaraderie with collaborators, and meticulous attention to timing. Whether trading lines with Ronnie Barker, sparring playfully with David Frost and John Cleese, or holding court alone in his armchair, he projected warmth without sentimentality and wit without cruelty. For many, he personified the durable heart of British light entertainment, proving that a small figure could cast a very long and kindly shadow.

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