Renowned actress Prunella Scales, famous for her role as the sharp-tongued Sybil Fawlty in the iconic British sitcom “Fawlty Towers,” passed away at the age of 93, as confirmed by her children on Tuesday. Scales, who had been battling dementia, peacefully breathed her last at her residence in London on Monday.
Her sons, Samuel and Joseph West, shared that despite her retirement due to dementia after a successful acting career spanning nearly 70 years, she remained at home until her passing. They mentioned that she was watching an episode of “Fawlty Towers” just a day before her demise.
Scales’ acting journey began with early film appearances in the 1952 adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” and the 1954 comedy “Hobson’s Choice,” leading to her television debut in the 1960s series “Marriage Lines.” In “Fawlty Towers,” she portrayed the exasperated wife of the inept hotel owner Basil Fawlty, played by John Cleese.
The show, created by Cleese and his then-wife Connie Booth, featured Scales alongside a talented cast, including Andrew Sachs as the Spanish waiter Manuel. Despite producing only 12 episodes between 1975 and 1979, “Fawlty Towers” is widely regarded as one of the most humorous sitcoms and top British TV shows.
Following its television success, “Fawlty Towers” was adapted for the stage, with a recent production gracing London’s renowned West End. Cleese fondly remembered Scales as a remarkable comic actress and a kind-hearted individual, praising her flawless performances in the show.
Apart from her role in “Fawlty Towers,” Scales also portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in “A Question of Attribution” and as Queen Victoria in a one-woman stage production. She was married to actor Timothy West for 61 years until his passing in November 2024.
Diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013, Scales, along with West, later embarked on a travel show called “Great Canal Journeys,” where they explored waterways in the UK and abroad, shedding light on her dementia journey. Scales leaves behind a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry and is survived by her sons, stepdaughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
