Ronnie Corbett Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

A Humble Scotsman with a Global Legacy

Imagine a modest young man from Edinburgh dreaming of making people laugh. That was how Ronnie Corbett began — born on December 4, 1930, in Edinburgh, Scotland. From those early ambitions blossomed a career that would leave an enduring mark on British comedy and beyond.

From Stage Dreams to Television Stardom

After completing his national service, Corbett moved to London to pursue acting. Standing at 5 ft (about 154 cm), his stature often became part of his self-deprecating humor — yet it did nothing to limit his versatility.

He cut his teeth in theatre and early TV work during the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in musicals, cabarets and variety shows.  A pivotal moment came when he was spotted performing at a nightclub by the impresario David Frost, who offered him a role on the satirical sketch show The Frost Report. 

It was there he first met fellow comedian Ronnie Barker. Though they came from different backgrounds — Corbett from a state-school upbringing, Barker from Oxbridge — the contrast helped define their dynamic. As Corbett later recalled: they were “two grammar school or state secondary school boys, who had not gone to university.” 

That connection set the stage for something far bigger: the birth of a comedy legacy.

The Two Ronnies: Comedy Alchemy at Its Finest

When the BBC launched The Two Ronnies in 1971, it wasn’t just another double act. Corbett and Barker shared equal billing — and each brought their unique strengths. While Barker leaned into sketches and characters, Corbett often delivered his signature rambling monologues, finishing with his trademark line: “But I digress.”

At its peak, the show drew tens of millions of viewers, becoming a Saturday-night institution. Their sketches — like the legendary "Four Candles"/"Fork Handles" — remain ingrained in British popular culture. 

The name "Two Ronnies" conveyed equality, and that sense of balance — between wit and warmth, absurdity and precision — helped cement Corbett as a national treasure. As one obituary put it, he wasn’t just Barker’s straight man; he was a co-star, a comedic force in his own right. 

Beyond The Two Ronnies, Corbett went on to star in the BBC sitcom Sorry! (1981–1988), playing a hapless librarian still living with his domineering mother — a role that highlighted his flair for down-to-earth humour and pathos.

A Life Anchored in Partnership and Family

Corbett’s personal life carried the same warmth and steadiness as his public persona. He married the West-End actress and dancer Anne Hart in 1966, after they met during his early cabaret days.

The couple remained devoted until his death nearly five decades later — a testament to stability in an often turbulent industry. They had two daughters, Emma and Sophie; a son, Andrew, died as an infant from a heart defect.

Anne Hart passed away on November 5, 2023.  Their life together was quiet, grounded — a contrast to the laughter and limelight that defined Corbett’s public legacy.

Valuing Laughter: Estimating Ronnie Corbett’s Net Worth

While comedy doesn’t always translate into vast fortunes, several sources estimate that at the time of his death Corbett’s net worth was around US $5 million. 

That valuation reflects decades of film, television, writing and live performance — and underscores how a career built on wit and wordplay can still carry substantial value.

Why Ronnie Corbett Still Matters

Corbett’s magic lay in his ability to make the mundane hilarious, to turn everyday frustrations into timeless laughter. His monologues weren’t just jokes — they were tiny journeys, often mirroring the absurdities of ordinary life. Through them, he touched generations.

Even after his death on March 31, 2016, from motor neurone disease, Corbett remains a touchstone for British comedy.  His influence is evident whenever comedic timing, verbal wit or gentle absurdity is celebrated — and in that sense, his legacy remains alive.