Dame Penelope Keith, the beloved actress renowned for her iconic roles in classic 1970s British sitcoms "The Good Life" and "To the Manor Born," has died at the age of 86. Her family announced her peaceful passing on Monday, stating she died at her home in Surrey while living with cancer.

Keith became a household name through her portrayal of the snobbish suburbanite Margo Leadbetter in "The Good Life" (1975-1978) and later as the widowed aristocrat Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in "To the Manor Born" (1979-1981). These roles cemented her status as a comedic legend in British television history.

Her co-star in "The Good Life," Felicity Kendal, remembered Keith as a "comic genius" and a "joy to know and work with." Other tributes poured in from public figures, including comedian Sue Perkins, who lauded Keith for creating "some of the greatest sitcom characters of all time." Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth described her as a "wonderful actress" and a "real friend," noting her generosity with her time for charitable causes.

"The Good Life" followed the contrasting lifestyles of Tom and Barbara Good, who aimed for self-sufficiency, much to the dismay of their affluent neighbours, the Leadbetters. The show was a critical and popular success, voted one of the UK's top 10 sitcoms in a 2004 BBC poll. "To the Manor Born" depicted the social upheaval of an aristocrat forced to sell her country estate.

Novelist Lissa Evans highlighted the contrast between Keith's characters and her true personality, noting that she made the "snobbish, humourless and entitled" Margo Leadbetter into an "adored (and oddly vulnerable)" character. Evans described Keith's delivery as "utter genius."

Born in Surrey, Keith began her acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963. Her talent was recognized with an Olivier Award for best comedy performance in 1976 for her role in the play "Donkey's Years." She later won a Bafta TV award for best light entertainment performance in 1977 for "The Good Life."

In recognition of her significant contributions to the arts and charity, Dame Penelope was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2014. She was also a neighbour and friend to former culture secretary Sir Jeremy Hunt, who remembered her as someone who "helped Britain laugh at itself."

The family has requested privacy during this difficult time and expressed gratitude for the care and support she received throughout her treatments.