British actress Prunella Scales, famous for her role as the sharp-tongued Sybil Fawlty in the iconic comedy series “Fawlty Towers,” passed away at the age of 93 due to dementia, as confirmed by her children on Tuesday. Scales’s sons, Samuel and Joseph West, announced that she peacefully passed away at her residence in London on Monday. Despite retiring from her illustrious 70-year acting career due to dementia, she continued to reside at home and was even watching “Fawlty Towers” the day before her demise.
Scales’s 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 sitcom “Marriage Lines.” In “Fawlty Towers,” she portrayed the frustrated yet commanding wife of the bumbling Basil Fawlty, played by John Cleese, whose misadventures managing a seaside hotel always led to chaos.
While only 12 episodes of “Fawlty Towers” were produced between 1975 and 1979, the show is widely regarded as a timeless and brilliant British sitcom. Cleese, the creator of the series, praised Scales as a talented comic actress and a kind-hearted individual, reminiscing about her impeccable performances in the show.
Scales’s diverse career also included portraying Queen Elizabeth II in “A Question of Attribution” and a one-woman show as Queen Victoria. Married to actor Timothy West for 61 years until his passing in November 2024, she courageously shared her battle with vascular dementia in the documentary series “Great Canal Journeys,” which she co-hosted with her husband.
Prunella Scales leaves behind a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry, survived by her children, stepdaughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her remarkable contributions to acting and her enduring presence on screens will be dearly remembered by fans worldwide.