British Sitcom Star Penelope Keith, Star Of 'the Good Life' (a.k.a. 'good Neighbors'), Dies At 86

LONDON — Penelope Keith, a comic performer who shone arsenic flinty but lovable upper-crust characters successful British sitcoms “The Good Life,” which aired connected PBS successful nan U.S. arsenic “Good Neighbors,” and “To nan Manor Born,” has died aged 86.

Keith’s family said Monday that she had been diagnosed pinch crab and died astatine her location successful Surrey, adjacent London.

Keith began her acting profession onstage and joined nan Royal Shakespeare Company successful 1963. But she recovered her top fame connected television.

She won a BAFTA Award successful 1977 for “The Good Life,” playing Margo Leadbetter, a snobbish suburbanite appalled by her back-to-the-land neighbors Tom and Barbara Good, played by Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal.

Kendal called Keith a “comic genius.”

“She was a joyousness to cognize and activity with, and she will beryllium overmuch missed,” Kendal said.

Keith displayed a akin operation of imperiousness and deadpan wit successful “To nan Manor Born,” broadcast betwixt 1979 and 1981 and brought backmost for a 2007 Christmas special. Keith played cash-strapped aristocratic widow Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, forced to waste her state property to a nouveau millionaire, played by Peter Bowles, pinch whom she has a love-hate relationship.

Keith’s velvet tones featured connected children’s show “Teletubbies” arsenic nan sound of nan Bear With Brown Fuzzy Hair and successful ads for everything from Pimm’s to Parker Pens. She besides presented cozy documentary TV series, including “Penelope Keith’s Hidden Villages.”

Keith continued to execute successful shape roles into her 80s. Theaters successful London’s West End will dim their lights Wednesday evening successful tribute to her.

In 2014 she was made a dame, nan female balanced of a knight, for services to nan arts and to charity.

She is survived by her husband, Rodney Timson, and their 2 sons.