Penelope Keith Dies: ‘The Good Life’ Actress Was 86

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Penelope Keith Dies: ‘The Good Life’ Actress Was 86

Originally posted on TV Insider | Last updated Jun 29, 2026 12:22 PM ET

Dame Penelope Keith, the British actress known for her roles in The Good Life and To the Manor Born, is dead at 86.

On Monday, June 29, Keith’s family released a statement confirming her death. “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,” they wrote, per Deadline.

The message added, “The family is grateful for the care and support she received throughout her treatments, and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”

In 1940, she was born Penelope Anne Constance Hatfield. She snagged her first major screen credit in the ITV comedy The Army Game, going on to appear in Carry on Doctor, The Avengers, and Private Lives. She joined The Good Life in 1975 as Margo Leadbetter, appearing in 30 episodes from 1975 to 1978.

Felicity Kendal, Keith’s The Good Life costar, shared a tribute to the late actress in a statement, writing, “I am deeply saddened to hear of my friend Penelope’s death,” per the BBC. “The shows I worked on with her were such special times in our lives and demonstrated her comic genius.”

Kendal continued, “My heart goes out to her beloved Rodney at this time, theirs was a great love story and partnership. She was a joy to know and work with, and she will be much missed.”

Additionally, Keith was known for playing Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in the BBC sitcom To the Manor Born in 26 episodes. Another notable acting credit included the TV movie Hay Fever in 1984.

In 1977, Keith won her first BAFTA for The Good Life. She snagged her second the following year for the TV play The Norman Conquests: Living Together. Keith also earned a BAFTA nomination for the BBC comedy To the Manor Born.

Her most recent acting credit, per IMDb, was the 2013 limited series Death Comes to Pemberley.

This article first appeared on TV Insider and was syndicated with permission.

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