Ronnie Corbett began his successful show business career in the early 1950s. Amongst many other things he performed on stage with Danny La Rue in a cacophony of well received variety and cabaret shows. It was whilst performing in these shows that Corbett attracted the attention of several top TV producers and executives who were impressed with his abilities as a stand up comedian, compare and all round entertainer. Before too long Corbett found himself being offered roles in various sitcoms, films and family shows. His varied film roles include "Polo" in the spoof Bond film _Casino Royale with Steve Coogan, Vic Reeves, Matt Lucas and David Walliams. In 2005 Corbett reunited with Barker to present a special six part series looking back at their favorite moments from the "Two Ronnies". Corbett is a charismatic and extremely likable man - there is absolutely no doubt that he will be fondly remembered by millions of people as being not only half of one of the most successful comedy duos of all time, but also as a truly brilliant entertainer.
He was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1978 New Years Honours List for his services to entertainment.
He was the father of Emma Corbett , Sophie Corbett and Andrew Corbett (b. March 1966, d. April 1966).
Despite his small stature, Corbett served in the Royal Air Force as a commissioned officer during his National Service.
At the end of "The Two Ronnies" , they would always close with Corbett saying "Well, its goodnight from me", to which Ronnie Barker would reply "And its goodnight from him".
He attended The Royal High School in Edinburgh, Scotland.
He was a guest panelist in a special celebrity edition of "Blankety Blank" on The Princes Trust 30th Birthday: Live.
His father was a baker.
His firstborn son, Andrew Corbett, died only weeks old at St. Thomas Hospital in London, England of heart problems.
He was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2012 New Years Honours List for his services to entertainment and charity.
He was a guest at the Royal Variety Performance in 1986.
In the 1970s, Corbett and Barker were two of the highest-paid performers in British television. In 1979, he and Barker took their families to Australia for a year which enabled them to exploit a tax loophole and avoid paying the years income tax, which then stood at 83% in the UK for top earners. Many film stars and rock stars also left the UK in the 1970s for the same reason.
He was on a tribute show to mark the BBC Television Centres closure, which was called Goodbye Television Centre .
He tells a story in his autobiography of how Stanley Kubrick wanted him for a part in 2001: A Space Odyssey - as an alien.
He was the grandfather of Tom Corbett and Tilly Corbett.
When I was small. . . well, when I was very small. . .
Have you ever noticed? Anybody going slower than you is an idiot, and,anyone going faster than you is a maniac.
