Dame Penelope Keith has sadly passed away at the age of 86. She's best remembered for her role as Margo Leadbetter in the hit TV series The Good Life. Penelope had been battling cancer, her family said, following her death.
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"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," the family said in a statement, via The Sun. "The family is grateful for the care and support she received throughout her treatments. and ask that their privacy be respected at this time."
John Taylor, the former owner of the Cricket St Thomas estate and wildlife park, where To The Manor Born was filmed, has also paid tribute to Penelope.
"There was no bad side to Penny, she was just an ordinary nice girl. I remember her as jolly, funny and we used to laugh a lot together," he said, via the BBC. "They were like part of the family while they were here. We used to party and we used to have skittle matches between the estate staff and To the Manor Born people. My heart goes out to her family."
Dame Penelope Keith Had 68 Acting Credits to Her Name
Penelope began her on-screen acting career in 1957, where she played a role in The Army Game. Following the end of that show, she spent time making brief appearances on multiple TV series throughout the 60s.
In 1970, Penelope played Lotte in Every Home Should Have One. She followed that up with a role as Tory Lady in Take a Girl Like You, later that year.
It wasn't until 1975, when Penelope landed her role as Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life that she began to truly rise to fame. She spent three years on the show, appearing in 30 episodes. Penelope also had recurring roles in Jackanory, Executive Stress, Next of Kin and No Job For A Lady. Those roles came at different times in her career.
Penelope's final on-screen appearance came in 2013, when she played Lady Catherine de Bourgh on Death Comes to Pemberley.
Currently, there are no details regarding Penelope's impending funeral. That information will likely remain private for family and close friends.
