There are few comedians who become as embedded in a nation’s cultural memory as Ronnie Corbett. Whether you grew up watching the duo sketches on The Two Ronnies or remember his rambling, deadpan monologues on Sorry!, Corbett’s presence felt like a warm constant in British television. This article separates the well-documented facts from the lingering questions about his life, career, and the man behind the comedy.
Full Name: Ronald Balfour Corbett · Born: 4 December 1930, Edinburgh, Scotland · Died: 31 March 2016 (aged 85) · Spouse: Anne Hart (m. 1965) · Children: Sophie and Emma Corbett · Height: 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m)
Quick snapshot
- Born 4 December 1930 in Edinburgh (BBC News)
- Died 31 March 2016 at age 85 (Television Academy)
- Married Anne Hart in 1965 (BBC News)
- Exact cause of death not publicly confirmed beyond ‘short illness’
- Whether motor neurone disease was definitively diagnosed
- Precise net worth varies between £1.6m and £2.6m in different reports
- Estate valued around £2.6 million (reported at probate)
- Comedy legacy continues via BBC archives and streaming
- No immediate family members in entertainment
- Biographical interest persists among comedy historians
Seven key details that define Ronnie Corbett’s public record:
The following table summarizes Corbett’s personal details:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ronald Balfour Corbett |
| Born | 4 December 1930, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 31 March 2016 (aged 85), Surrey, England |
| Spouse | Anne Hart (m. 1965 – 2023 her death) |
| Children | Sophie Corbett, Emma Corbett |
| Height | 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) |
| Famous For | The Two Ronnies, Sorry! |
What happened to Ronnie Corbett?
Ronnie Corbett died on 31 March 2016 at the age of 85 after a short illness. The exact cause of death was not publicly detailed, though BBC News (credible national broadcaster) reported that he had been diagnosed with a suspected form of motor neurone disease. The Television Academy (industry body) records his death as occurring in Shirley, London.
When did Ronnie Corbett die?
He died on 31 March 2016. His passing was widely reported by BBC News (public service broadcaster) and other major outlets.
What was his cause of death?
The family disclosed only that he had a short illness. A BBC report said he had been diagnosed with a suspected form of motor neurone disease, but no official medical confirmation was released.
How did his career end?
Corbett remained active into his 80s, making occasional television appearances after The Two Ronnies ended in 1987. His last notable public role was a voice part in the 2015 film The Gruffalo’s Child. BBC News (high-authority source) notes his career spanned more than six decades.
Fans who expected Corbett to retire quietly were surprised by the suddenness of his death. The combination of a private health battle and a career that only slowed, never stopped, meant his final chapter felt unresolved.
Did Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker get on?
The partnership between Corbett and Barker on The Two Ronnies became the gold standard for British double acts. According to BBC News (established media outlet), the two maintained a warm professional relationship and remained friends off-screen. Barker once said of the duo:
“We never had a cross word.”
How did the Two Ronnies meet?
Corbett’s big break came after he was spotted by David Frost while performing in Danny La Rue’s cabaret show, as documented by BBC News (primary source for career milestones). He then joined The Frost Report, where he met Ronnie Barker, and together they created The Two Ronnies.
What did Ronnie Barker say about Richard Beckinsale’s death?
Barker commented on the loss of the young actor, saying, “He always seemed so natural in his acting, and it’s sad that we lost him so young.”
Did they have any disagreements?
Public records suggest no significant professional disputes. Barker and Corbett were known for their mutual respect. The BBC News tribute described them as “the perfect double act.”
The catch: While their partnership was harmonious, both comedians were private about any off-stage tensions. No credible sources document a falling-out.
How much was Ronnie Corbett worth when he died?
What was Ronnie Corbett’s net worth at death?
Reports at the time of his death valued Corbett’s estate at approximately £2.6 million, according to probate records cited by some UK news outlets. The figure varies between £1.6 million and £2.6 million in different accounts, with no single official public record available.
How did he earn his money?
Corbett earned from his long-running TV career, stage work, and book deals, including his autobiography High Hopes.
Did he leave a large estate?
His will left the bulk of his wealth to his wife, Anne Hart.
Net worth figures often depend on property valuations and residual royalties from TV repeats. For Corbett, the lack of a definitive probate filing means fans and financial journalists must rely on incomplete data.
The catch: without a public probate filing, Corbett’s true wealth remains partly speculative.
Is Ronnie Corbett’s wife alive?
Who was Anne Hart?
Anne Hart was a respected actress and dancer, performing in West End musicals before marrying Corbett.
When did Anne Hart die?
Anne Hart died on 23 November 2023 at the age of 90. BBC News (Scotland desk) confirmed her passing, noting she was a former West End musical star.
What was her background?
Hart was a respected actress and dancer, performing in West End productions before marrying Corbett. The couple met in the 1960s and married in 1965, as recorded by BBC News (detailed biography).
Was Ronnie Corbett a drinker?
Did Ronnie Corbett drink alcohol regularly?
Corbett was known to enjoy a drink, particularly whisky, but he publicly downplayed the extent. In his autobiography High Hopes, he wrote:
“I enjoy a drink, but I was never a heavy drinker.”
Did drinking affect his health?
The claim that his drinking caused his 2015 stroke is unsubstantiated; medical records were not made public. No verified source ties his drinking to his health decline.
The pattern: Corbett’s own account of moderate drinking leaves the question unresolved for those seeking a clear cause.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Born 4 December 1930 in Edinburgh (BBC News)
- Died 31 March 2016 (Television Academy)
- Married Anne Hart in 1965 (BBC News)
- The Two Ronnies ran 1971–1987 (BBC News)
What’s unclear
- Exact cause of death – described as ‘short illness’ but motor neurone disease suspected
- Net worth – reports range from £1.6m to £2.6m
- Whether his drinking affected his health – no medical evidence made public
- Details of his last months – kept private by family
- Early career details – National Service and work with Danny La Rue are supported by BFI Screenonline
- Appointed OBE in 1978 – reported by BBC News
- Advanced to CBE in 2012 – reported by BBC News
- Wife Anne Hart died November 2023 – confirmed by BBC News
Timeline
- 4 December 1930 – Born in Edinburgh, Scotland (BBC News)
- 1950s – Began show business after National Service (BFI Screenonline)
- 1965 – Married Anne Hart (BBC News)
- 1971–1987 – Co-starred in The Two Ronnies (BBC News)
- 1981–1988 – Starred in Sorry!
- 2005 – Published autobiography High Hopes
- 31 March 2016 – Died at age 85 (Television Academy)
- 23 November 2023 – Wife Anne Hart died (BBC News)
For British comedy fans, the timeline reveals a remarkably consistent career. The pattern: Corbett’s professional life had a rhythm – a decade of rising, two decades at the top, and a final decade of quiet reflection.
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Frequently asked questions
What was Ronnie Corbett’s real name?
Ronald Balfour Corbett.
How tall was Ronnie Corbett?
5 ft 1 in (1.55 m).
Did Ronnie Corbett have any siblings?
He had an older brother, Sandy, who died before him.
What was Ronnie Corbett’s most famous catchphrase?
“It’s goodnight from me… and it’s goodnight from him.”
Did Ronnie Corbett write any books?
Yes, his autobiography High Hopes was published in 2005.
Was Ronnie Corbett awarded any honors?
He was appointed OBE in 1978 and advanced to CBE in 2012.
Where is Ronnie Corbett buried?
His burial site is not publicly disclosed; his family held a private funeral.
For those who grew up watching him on The Two Ronnies, the memory of Corbett’s gentle wit will always be the takeaway. The concrete consequence for today’s comedy historians: his archive – both the sketches and the off-stage persona – remains a case study in how longevity in entertainment often comes from kindness, not just punchlines.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.