Ronnie Corbett – Biography, Height, Cause of Death and Family

For decades, Ronnie Corbett was a familiar presence in British homes. The Scottish comedian stood just 5 feet 1 inch tall, yet his influence on television comedy was enormous. Best known as one half of the legendary duo The Two Ronnies, Corbett built a career that spanned more than fifty years and earned him a place in the nation’s affections.

Corbett’s gentle, self-deprecating humour and his famously rambling armchair monologues made him a standout performer. Alongside Ronnie Barker, he created sketches that are still quoted today, including the classic “Four Candles” sketch. His height, far from limiting him, became a defining feature of his comedy and a source of warmth between him and his audience.

When he died on 31 March 2016 at the age of 85, the reaction from the public and fellow entertainers confirmed what many already knew: Britain had lost a national treasure. His legacy continues to be celebrated, and interest in his life, his family, and his career remains strong.

Who Was Ronnie Corbett? Biography and Legacy

Ronald Balfour Corbett was born on 4 December 1930 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He began his career in the 1950s, performing in clubs and working with entertainers such as Danny La Rue. His big break came with The Frost Report (1966–1967), where he first met Ronnie Barker. That meeting led to one of the most successful partnerships in British comedy history.

Key Insights

• Ronnie Corbett was half of the iconic British comedy duo The Two Ronnies, which ran for 16 years on BBC One.
• His height was a defining characteristic of his comedy, often used in his famous armchair monologues.
• He was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2015 and died the following year.
• He was married to actress and dancer Anne Hart for 49 years, until his death in 2016.
• Corbett was the shortest commissioned officer in the British RAF at the time of his service.
• He was appointed CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to entertainment.
• His partnership with Ronnie Barker produced some of the most memorable comedy sketches in British television history.

Snapshot Facts

How Tall Was Ronnie Corbett?

Ronnie Corbett stood at 5 feet 1 inch (155 centimetres). His height was a well-known part of his public persona, and he often made playful reference to it in his comedy. According to his official biography, he was the shortest commissioned officer in the British RAF during his national service, where he served as a pilot officer and later as a flying officer.

Rather than treating his stature as a limitation, Corbett turned it into a hallmark of his act. His armchair monologues on The Two Ronnies frequently included jokes about his height, delivered with a warmth that made audiences love him all the more. As IMDb notes, he was “renowned for his diminutive stature and deliberately rambling armchair monologues.”

Who Was Ronnie Corbett’s Family? Wife, Children, and Daughters

Ronnie Corbett married actress and dancer Anne Hart on 30 May 1966. The couple met in the late 1950s when Hart was performing at Winston’s, a club owned by Danny La Rue. They were married for 49 years, until Corbett’s death in 2016. Anne Hart passed away on 5 November 2023 at the age of 90.

Children and Grandchildren

Corbett and Hart had three children. Their two daughters, Emma and Sophie, survive them. A son, Andrew, died at just six weeks old due to a heart defect. The couple also had four grandchildren, including Dylan Corbett-Bader.

Family Life at Home

From 1970 to 2003, the family lived in a seven-bedroom home called Fairways in Addington, London. Corbett was the son of William Balfour Corbett, a master baker, and Annie Elizabeth Corbett. He had a younger brother, Allan, and a younger sister, Margaret.

When Did Ronnie Corbett Die and What Was His Cause of Death?

Ronnie Corbett died on 31 March 2016 at Shirley Oaks Hospital in Shirley, London. He was 85 years old. The cause of death was motor neurone disease (also known as motor neuron disease), a progressive neurodegenerative condition. He had been diagnosed in 2015.

News of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans. The Guardian described him as an “actor and comedian who became a national treasure as partner to Ronnie Barker in The Two Ronnies.” His passing marked the end of a remarkable chapter in British television history.

When Did Key Events in Ronnie Corbett’s Life Take Place?

The following timeline highlights the major milestones in Corbett’s personal and professional life.

1. 1930 — Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on 4 December.
2. 1950s — Began his career in show business, performing in clubs and with Danny La Rue.
3. 1966 — Married actress Anne Hart on 30 May.
4. 1971 — The Two Ronnies premieres on BBC One, beginning a 16-year run.
5. 1987 — The Two Ronnies ends its original broadcast run.
6. 2015 — Diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
7. 2016 — Died on 31 March at the age of 85.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Ronnie Corbett’s Life?

Most details of Ronnie Corbett’s life are well documented, but some areas benefit from clarification. The table below separates established facts from points that are less clear.

What Made Ronnie Corbett a National Treasure in British Comedy?

Ronnie Corbett’s partnership with Ronnie Barker defined an era of British comedy. The contrast between Corbett’s gentle, self-deprecating humour and Barker’s character-driven sketches created a dynamic that audiences found irresistible. Their show, The Two Ronnies, attracted millions of viewers and produced sketches that remain classics.

Corbett also starred in the long-running sitcom Sorry! (1981–1988), playing Timothy Lumsden, a “mummy’s boy” that suited his persona perfectly. Earlier in his career, his height led to schoolboy roles in films such as You’re Only Young Twice (1952) and Top of the Form (1953).

His legacy endures not only through his work but through the affection with which he is remembered. As Screenonline notes, he is remembered for his “charisma, diminutive stature, and skillful partnership with Ronnie Barker.”

What Do the Official Sources Say About Ronnie Corbett?

Several authoritative sources provide the foundation for understanding Corbett’s life and career. Their descriptions consistently highlight his significance to British comedy.

“Actor and comedian who became a national treasure as partner to Ronnie Barker in The Two Ronnies…”

— The Guardian obituary

“Ronald Balfour Corbett CBE (4 December 1930 – 31 March 2016) was a Scottish comedian and actor.”

— Wikipedia

“Renowned for his diminutive stature and deliberately rambling armchair monologues…”

— IMDb

Further information about his wife, Anne Hart, is available on her Wikipedia page. For details on motor neurone disease, the Motor Neurone Disease Association provides authoritative resources.

Why Does Ronnie Corbett’s Legacy Endure?

Ronnie Corbett’s legacy rests on his extraordinary comedic talent and the warmth he brought to every performance. His partnership with Ronnie Barker produced some of the most beloved sketches in British television history, and his ability to connect with audiences, regardless of his stature, made him a true national treasure. His work continues to be discovered by new generations, ensuring that his contribution to comedy will not be forgotten. For more on other notable British comedians, see Paul Whitehouse – Wife, Children, Age, and Career and Aisling Bea – Partner, Movies, TV Shows and Tour 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ronnie Corbett