Prunella Scales, who was best known for playing Sybil Fawlty in iconic BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers, has died. She was 93 and died at her home yesterday after a long battle with dementia.
The death was confirmed to the BBC by Scales’ family. Her sons Samuel West and Joseph West told PA she died “peacefully at home in London.”
“Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home,” they added, noting that she had watched Fawlty Towers the day before she died. “We would like to thank all those who gave Pru such wonderful care at the end of her life: her last days were comfortable, contented and surrounded by love.”
BAFTA nominee Scales played Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers, the hit 1970s show created by John Cleese and Connie Booth that many deem to be the greatest British sitcom of all time. Sybil Fawlty was hotelier Basil Fawlty’s acerbic and bossy wife, who argued frequently with Basil and was often the subject of his ire.
The show was hugely successful and a remake is currently in the works from Cleese and Rob Reiner’s Castle Rock Entertainment.
Born in South England in 1932, Scales began her career as an assistant stage manager at the Bristol Old Vic theater in the 1950s before starring in the likes of Pride and Prejudice and Hobson’s Choice. Her big break came in sitcom Marriage Lines, where she played Kate Starling opposite Richard Briers, and she was then cast in Fawlty Towers, which made her a household name.
Other big roles followed in The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Boys from Brazil and Howards End, the latter of which saw her son Samuel West nominated for a BAFTA. She also appeared with her husband, the actor Timothy West, in Joe Orton farce What the Butler Saw. Timothy West died last year aged 90.
In 1992, Scales was nominated for a BAFTA for her role playing Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett’s televised play A Question of Attribution.
Scales is survived by two sons and one stepdaughter, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The post Prunella Scales Dies: British Actress Best Known For Playing Sybil Fawlty In ‘Fawlty Towers’ Was 93 appeared first on Deadline.
