Once a lady, now a dame
Actress Penelope Keith, who has played some aristocratic characters in her long career, says she is ‘‘ elated, exhausted and thrilled’’ at becoming a Dame in Britain’s New Years Honours List.
The 73- year- old, known for her crisp diction and roles in sitcoms such as To the Manor Born and The Good Life, receives her honour for services to the arts and to charity.
Keith said of her honour: ‘‘ It’s the big one. I had already got an OBE and then a CBE, so I don’t know what is better than the icing on the cake – but this is.’’
She added: exhausted thrilled.’’
Keith developed an interest in acting while at boarding school. She studied at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, before moving into repertory theatre.
She joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in her early 20s and went on to have minor television roles in shows such as The Avengers and Dixon Of Dock Green.
She became a familiar face on television in the 1970s series The Good Life. Keith played Margot Leadbetter, the snobby but well- meaning neighbour of a suburban couple living a back- to- basics existence.
Keith followed up that success with To the Manor Born, in which she played another upper- crust character, Lady Audrey Forbes- Hamilton, who is forced to sell the family pile after falling on hard times.
Keith has been married to husband Rodney for more than 35 years. They met when he was checking security at a theatre at which she was appearing.
Keith’s long career has included a celebrated role as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest in 2008. She was also among the voices for longrunning pre- school series Teletubbies.
She has had prominent roles with the Actors’ Benevolent Fund, the National Trust and was a founding member of the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Authority.
Keith is also president of the KeepOut charity, which works with serving prisoners to encourage youths to steer clear of crime. ‘‘ You and
know,
Isort
of
feel
elated,
Actress Penelope Keith’s good life has been rewarded with a New Year honour.