Dame Penelope Keith, best known for her role as Margot in The Good Life, has died at the age of 86. In her final years, she was deeply wounded by events surrounding the Actors' Benevolent Fund, a charity she had served as president since 1989 after succeeding Sir Laurence Olivier.
Bitter Coup at the Actors' Benevolent Fund
In 2022, rival members of the charity forced Keith off the board in what has been described as a bitter coup. A source close to the actress said: "That was one of the most painful episodes in Penny's life. She dedicated so many years to the charity and considered her removal unlawful."
The charity, established in the 19th century to support actors in need, was the scene of a power struggle that led to Keith's ousting. She fought back, and in 2024, the Charity Commission issued a "hard-fought apology" admitting errors in handling the case.
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