Ewen MacIntosh is a British actor and comedian. He rose to fame as Keith Bishop in the innovative BBC sitcom The Office, and has appeared in many other successful television shows and films since. MacIntosh has accomplished a career across stage, TV and as a writer for various shows, with a talent for dry humour and quick punch-lines.

Ewen MacIntosh: Early Career as an Actor and Comedian

Ewen MacIntosh was born on 25 December 1973, in Merionethshire, Wales. He attended the University of Edinburgh, where he studied linguistics and performed with both the Edinburgh University Theatre Company and The Improverts. The latter is an improvisational troupe that helps educate members of the public on improvisation, and other notable past members include comedian Miles Jupp and Grey’s Anatomy actor Kevin McKidd.

The British actor appeared in a short film, Love in the First Degree, before he got his breakthrough as an actor in The Office — one of the most successful British sitcoms in history.

Finding Fame as Keith in The Office and Roles in Little Britain

Deadpan accountant Keith Bishop is one of the most well-known characters Ewen MacIntosh has played so far. The Office was a hit for the BBC when it aired between 2001 and 2003, and inspired a long-running U.S. remake.

Keith Bishop had some memorable moments across both series of The Office and its Christmas specials, including the scene in which Keith eats a Scotch egg during an awkward conversation with Tim (played by Sherlock actor Martin Freeman).

MacIntosh told Vice that he and Freeman “had trouble doing that for some reason”, saying that he “got through a lot of Scotch eggs.” Another hilarious moment involves David Brent (played by Ricky Gervais) asking Keith questions for an official appraisal — with unbelievable results.

While The Office was at its most popular, Ewen MacIntosh also appeared in another hit BBC comedy series: Little Britain. This show helped make comedy duo Matt Lucas and David Walliams household names, but its supporting cast included several seasoned performers. MacIntosh appeared in two episodes of the first two series.

What Other Television Shows and Films Has Ewen MacIntosh Appeared In?

As well as being known as Keith from The Office, Ewen MacIntosh has appeared in a diverse range of television series and movies over the past 20 years. For example, he played Lionel in the British romantic-comedy film Finding Fatimah, released in 2017, and had a role in the British comedy-horror film Shed of the Dead in 2019.

He had a role in the film The Confusion of Tongues, playing Barry the window cleaner. The movie followed several characters hoping to win a high-paying pub quiz, including Ewen MacIntosh’s window cleaner.

MacIntosh has been seen in such diverse films and TV series as Drunk History: UK, My Horrible Love, A Dozen Summers, and Fanged Up. He also featured in multiple episodes of the TV mini-series Smalltown and The Unusual Suspects, as well as the multi-part mystery "Who Shot Simon Cowell?" (part of ITV’s popular Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway).

Stage, Radio, and Music Video Performances

In December 2009, Ewen MacIntosh appeared alongside a number of other famous faces in a charity music video for the classic Christmas song “Driving Home for Christmas” by Chris Rea. Several other celebrities were included in the charity music video, such as the late Lionel Blair, Jimmy Greaves, Carol Decker, Martin Shaw, and Gail Porter. All money raised through digital downloads was donated to Shelter, a UK homelessness and housing charity.

Ewen MacIntosh made his West End debut in "Geek! A New Musical", which launched at the Tristan Bates Theatre in April 2013. In that same year, Ewen MacIntosh starred in a national TV advert for the website ao.com. He also appeared as himself in an episode of the Warwick Davis comedy Life’s Too Short.

Fans have heard Ewen MacIntosh’s voice in the role of Carl on the BBC radio sitcom Cabin Pressure. As Carl, the comedian was part of a strong cast that included Benedict Cumberbatch, Stephanie Cole, and Roger Allam. The radio sitcom ended its long run in December 2014.

Ewen MacIntosh Writing Achievements

As well as being an established actor and comedian, Ewen MacIntosh is also a seasoned comedy writer. He has worked on episodes of the hit music-themed panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks and two episodes of Channel 4’s Comedy Lab. MacIntosh also wrote for Navelgazing Presents, a series of shorts broadcast on Dave TV in 2011.

In addition, Ewen MacIntosh has written material for Keith Lemon’s comedy panel show Celebrity Juice, The Rob Brydon Show, and more.… show more