Ronnie Corbett – Height, Wife, Death & Two Ronnies Legacy
Ronnie Corbett was a defining figure in British comedy for more than five decades. Born in Edinburgh and standing just 5 ft 1 in tall, he turned his stature into a hallmark of his act, becoming one half of the legendary duo The Two Ronnies. His career spanned from post-war variety theatre to the peak of BBC Saturday-night television.
As the smaller, seated half of the double act, Corbett’s long, rambling monologues counterbalanced Ronnie Barker’s rapid-fire wordplay. Together they created a comedy institution that regularly drew more than 15 million viewers. Corbett’s life was marked by a deep professional partnership, wide public affection and private resilience in the face of serious illness and family loss.
He died on 31 March 2016 at the age of 85, having been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2015. His work continues to reach new audiences through streaming platforms and repeated broadcasts.
When did Ronnie Corbett die and what was the cause of death?
| Full Name | Ronald Balfour Corbett |
| Born | 4 December 1930, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 31 March 2016, aged 85, after a long illness |
| Famous For | Comedian, actor and one half of The Two Ronnies |
Key insights into his life and career
- His 5 ft 1 in stature became a recurring, self-deprecating comedic trademark.
- His career in entertainment lasted roughly six decades, from stage revues to television stardom.
- He married actress and dancer Anne Hart in the mid-1960s; the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2015.
- His partnership with Ronnie Barker on The Two Ronnies defined a generation of British sketch comedy.
- The programme won a BAFTA for best light-entertainment performance in 1972.
- He was appointed a CBE in the 2012 New Year Honours for services to entertainment and charity.
- Corbett died in hospital in Shirley, south London, surrounded by his family.
Biographical snapshot
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Ronald Balfour Corbett |
| Date of Birth | 4 December 1930 |
| Place of Birth | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Date of Death | 31 March 2016 |
| Age at Death | 85 |
| Cause of Death | Motor neurone disease |
| Spouse | Anne Hart (married 1965/1966) |
| Children | Emma Corbett and Sophie Corbett (both actresses) |
| Height | 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) |
| Notable Work | The Two Ronnies, The Frost Report, Sorry!, Small Talk |
How tall was Ronnie Corbett?
Corbett was widely reported as 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m). This figure is the consensus across biographical sources, including Wikipedia, the Herald Scotland and Forces News. While some outlets give a slightly different measurement of an inch either way, 5 ft 1 in is the most commonly accepted statistic.
Corbett’s height was not merely a biographical detail; it was a foundational part of his performance. He leaned into self-deprecating humour about his stature, and early in his career it allowed him to convincingly play characters much younger than himself.
The comedy value of stature
His small frame became a visual counterpoint to Ronnie Barker’s more physical character work. In The Two Ronnies, many sketches played on the height difference between the two men, and Corbett’s seated monologues—delivered from a large armchair—made his diminutive size a central part of the comedy.
Who was Ronnie Corbett’s wife and did he have children?
Anne Hart, a fellow performer
Corbett married actress, dancer and singer Anne Hart in 1965 or 1966. Contemporary accounts confirm that the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2015. Hart died in November 2023 at the age of 90, according to her biographical record.
Daughters Emma and Sophie
The couple had two surviving daughters, Emma Corbett and Sophie Corbett, both of whom became actresses, as reported by BBC News.
Some accounts list three children because Corbett and Hart’s first child, Andrew, was born with a heart defect and died at six weeks old. The family kept this tragedy largely out of the public eye, which is why many sources only mention daughters Emma and Sophie.
What were Ronnie Corbett’s most famous movies and TV shows?
Breakthrough on The Frost Report
Corbett’s big break came through David Frost’s satirical programme The Frost Report in the 1960s, where he first worked with Ronnie Barker. That collaboration led directly to The Two Ronnies.
Film and television highlights
Beyond the duo, Corbett built a varied career. He appeared in No—That’s Me Over Here!, the sitcom Sorry!, Open All Hours, The Good Life, and Jackanory. On film his credits include Casino Royale (1967), Some Will, Some Won’t, No Sex Please, We’re British, You’re Only Young Twice and Rockets Galore!.
Corbett’s seated monologues on The Two Ronnies were his signature, but his range was broader. He presented the children’s quiz show Small Talk from 1993 to 1996 and revived his monologue style on The Ben Elton Show, as noted by Screenonline.
Who was Ronnie Barker and what was the Two Ronnies?
A partnership forged on The Frost Report
Ronnie Barker, born in 1929, was the principal writer and performer alongside Corbett. Their professional relationship began on The Frost Report and grew into one of Britain’s most successful comedy double acts. Their BBC sketch series, The Two Ronnies, ran from 1971 to 1987 and became a Saturday-night institution.
Contrasting styles, complementary genius
The duo’s appeal rested on their contrast: Barker was associated with verbal dexterity, character voices and intricate comic writing, while Corbett was known for his expressive delivery, diminutive appearance and extended monologues. The programme combined sketch comedy, musical performances, wordplay, news-parody segments and Corbett’s distinctive seated routines. It attracted more than 15 million viewers at its peak and won a BAFTA for best light-entertainment performance in 1972.
Barker retired from regular television work in the late 1980s, ending the original series. The pair reunited in 2005 for The Two Ronnies Sketchbook. Read more about his partner: Ronnie Barker – Life and Legacy of a British Comedy Icon.
How did Ronnie Corbett’s career progress over time?
- 1930: Born Ronald Balfour Corbett in Edinburgh, Scotland.
- c. 1945: Began performing in a pantomime at a local church youth club.
- Early 1950s: Served in the Royal Air Force during National Service.
- 1960s: Breakthrough on David Frost’s The Frost Report; meets Ronnie Barker.
- 1971–1987: The Two Ronnies airs on BBC, becoming a British television institution.
- 1972: Wins a BAFTA for best light-entertainment performance.
- 1993–1996: Presents the children’s quiz show Small Talk.
- 2012: Appointed CBE in the New Year Honours for services to entertainment and charity.
- 2015: Diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
- 31 March 2016: Dies aged 85, surrounded by family.
What is known for certain about Ronnie Corbett and what remains unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Height was commonly reported as 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m). | Exact measurement varies by up to an inch depending on the source, but 5 ft 1 in is the consensus. |
| Cause of death was motor neurone disease, confirmed by family and news outlets. | Specific details of his final illness were kept private as per the family’s wishes. |
| Married to Anne Hart from the mid-1960s until his death. | Net worth has no official confirmed figure; unofficial estimates range from £5 million to £8 million, but no audited figure was released. |
What was the significance of Ronnie Corbett’s work in British comedy?
Corbett and Barker were central to the golden age of British variety and sketch comedy that flourished in the 1970s and 1980s. Their contrasting personas created a uniquely balanced double-act that set a high bar for television comedy. Corbett’s work continues to be celebrated on BBC iPlayer and Gold, and new generations discover The Two Ronnies through streaming.
Posthumous tributes from fellow entertainers highlighted his warmth, professionalism and the enduring appeal of his comedy. He was remembered as the smaller half of the duo whose comedic stature was immense.
Where do the facts about Ronnie Corbett come from?
The information in this article is drawn from verified biographical sources, including National Journal UK, BBC News, Wikipedia, and respected regional and national media outlets.
“Ronnie Corbett, one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers and star of The Two Ronnies, has died aged 85.”
— BBC News
“Corbett was the smaller half of the two Ronnies, but his stature in the comedy world was immense.”
— The Independent
What is Ronnie Corbett’s enduring legacy?
Ronnie Corbett’s legacy is that of a beloved entertainer whose work continues to be discovered by new audiences through repeat broadcasts and streaming. His partnership with Ronnie Barker defined a golden era of television comedy, and his influence remains visible in the sketch-comedy format. For a look at another notable British comedian from a similar era, see Jim Bowen – Biography, Cause of Death and Family.
Frequently asked questions about Ronnie Corbett
What was Ronnie Corbett’s net worth?
Estimates vary widely, with some sources suggesting between £5 million and £8 million, but this was never publicly confirmed by the family.
Did Ronnie Corbett write his own material?
He contributed to many of his own sketches and monologues, though The Two Ronnies relied on a team that included Ronnie Barker writing under the pseudonym Gerald Wiley.
Where is Ronnie Corbett buried?
Details of his private funeral were not widely publicized out of respect for the family’s privacy.
How many children did Ronnie Corbett have?
He and his wife Anne Hart had three children: a son, Andrew, who died at six weeks old, and two daughters, Emma and Sophie, both of whom became actresses.
Did Ronnie Corbett win a BAFTA?
Yes. The Two Ronnies won a BAFTA for best light-entertainment performance in 1972.
What honour did Ronnie Corbett receive in 2012?
He was appointed a CBE in the 2012 New Year Honours for services to entertainment and charity.
When did Ronnie Corbett get married?
He married Anne Hart in 1965 or 1966; contemporary reports indicate they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2015.
What was Ronnie Corbett’s early career like?
He began performing in a church youth-club pantomime at around 15, served in the Royal Air Force, then moved to London to pursue acting, appearing in schoolboy roles and films such as Rockets Galore!
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