Ricky Gervais mourns the death of The Office costar Ewen MacIntosh: 'An absolute original'

Ewen MacIntosh, who costarred on the original U.K. version of The Office, has died, his management company JustRight announced on social media Wednesday. He was 50 years old.

MacIntosh played Keith Bishop, who works in the accounts department at paper company Wernham Hogg, under megalomaniac manager David Brent (Ricky Gervais) on The Office. Gervais, who also created, cowrote and directed the series, was quick to offer his condolences on Wednesday.

"Extremely sad news," Gervais posted on Twitter. "The very funny and very lovely Ewen Macintosh, known to many as 'Big Keith' from The Office, has passed away. An absolute original. RIP."

Born on Christmas Day 1975 in Wales, MacIntosh made his TV breakthrough with The Office and went on to appear in other British comedy shows like Miranda and Little Britain. He also starred on the radio sitcom Cabin Pressure, and had a small role as a hotel guard in Yorgos Lanthimos' 2015 film The Lobster.

"With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved comedy genius Ewen MacIntosh," the account for JustRight Management posted on Twitter. "His family thank all who supported him, especially Willow Green Care Home. There will be a private cremation for family & close friends soon & a celebratory memorial later in the year."

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