Ronnie Corbett's illustrious show business career began in the early 1950s, where he shared the stage with Danny La Rue in a variety of well-received cabaret and variety shows.
As he performed, Corbett caught the attention of top TV producers and executives, who were impressed by his abilities as a stand-up comedian, compère, and all-around entertainer.
Before long, Corbett found himself offered roles in various sitcoms, films, and family shows.
His film roles included "Polo" in the spoof Bond film Casino Royale (1967),"Drooby" in Mad Little Island (1958),and the hapless "Chumleigh" in Fun at St Fanny's (1955).
On television, he provided light-hearted comedy in Crackerjack! (1955) for many years.
His big break came during the 1960s, when he was asked to join the cast of the hugely popular The Frost Report (1966),which included John Cleese and David Frost.
The show also saw him performing alongside Ronnie Barker for the first time, and the two comedians shared a rare comic chemistry between each other.
TV producers recognized this chemistry, and there were talks of giving the pair their own comedy series.
Corbett had numerous projects in the late 1960s, including The Corbett Follies (1969) and No - That's Me Over Here! (1967).
Then, in 1971, Barker asked him to star in the comedy sketch series The Ronnie Barker Yearbook (1971).
The rest is history - the Two Ronnies had arrived, and it was simply comic genius, Barker and Corbett were made for each other.
Later that year, The Two Ronnies (1971) show was born on BBC 1 and remained incredibly popular well into the late 1980s when Barker sadly announced his retirement from television.
Corbett continued to enjoy success in both film and television, starring alongside John Cleese and Jamie Lee Curtis in the film Timbuctoo (1998),and appearing in numerous pantomimes with Frank Skinner and Paul Merton.
In 2005, Corbett reunited with Barker to present a special six-part series looking back at their favorite moments from the "Two Ronnies".
Throughout his career, Corbett has been a charismatic and extremely likable man, and 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.
