Penelope Keith

Date of Birth: April 2, 1940

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Biography

Penelope Keith, born Penelope Anne Constance Hatfield, is an accomplished English actress known for her work across television, film, and theatre. She was born on April 2, 1940, in Sutton, Surrey, England. Keith is best recognized for her roles in the popular British sitcoms “The Good Life” and “To the Manor Born,” which established her as a household name in the UK. Keith began her acting career in repertory theatre before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she honed her craft. Her breakthrough came when she was cast as Margo Leadbetter in “The Good Life” (1975-1978), a role that won her a BAFTA TV Award for Best Light Entertainment Performance. She continued to captivate audiences with her portrayal of Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in “To the Manor Born” (1979-1981). Beyond television, Keith has had a distinguished stage career, performing in numerous West End productions. She is also a celebrated voice actress and has lent her voice to various radio dramas and audiobooks. In recognition of her contributions to drama, Keith was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1989 and was promoted to a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2007. In 2014, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to the arts and charity.

5 Interesting Facts about Penelope Keith

1. Penelope Keith began her acting career in repertory theatre before joining the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company.

2. She won a BAFTA TV Award for her role as Margo Leadbetter in “The Good Life.”

3. Keith was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2014.

4. She has served as the President of the Actors’ Benevolent Fund since 1990.

5. Keith is an avid gardener and has often shared her love for gardening in various interviews and programs.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Penelope Keith

1. “Comedy is the most difficult thing to do. It’s got to be ultra-serious to the performers.”

2. “I’m a great believer in the fact that theatre is for everyone.”

3. “I think the joy of acting is that it’s endless. We always have something to learn.”

4. “To be a good actress, you have to be interested in people and you have to be interested in life.”

5. “The thing about television is that it’s so immediate, it goes straight into people’s homes.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Penelope Keith’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $10 million.

Children

Penelope Keith does not have any biological children. She and her husband, Rodney Timson, whom she married in 1978, have two stepchildren from Timson’s previous marriage.