Prunella Scales, ‘Fawlty Towers’ actress, dies at 93…
Prunella Scales, the British actress best recognized for her position as Sybil Fawlty in the BBC sitcom “Fawlty Towers,” has died. She was 93.
Her sons, Samuel and Joseph West, confirmed to The Post she died “peacefully at home in London” on Monday. She was recognized with vascular dementia in 2013.
The boys also revealed that Scales was watching “Fawlty Towers” the day before she died.
Prunella Scales poses at the British Soap Awards 2008. Getty Images
Prunella Scales leaning against a tree in February 1968. Getty Images
“Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home,” Samuel and Joseph said in an announcement to The Post.
“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,” her sons added.
Scales shared her sons along with her late husband, actor Timothy West, who died in Nov. 2024 at age 90.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales attending the gala opening of the new London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art centre. PA Images through Getty Images
Born in Surrey, England on June 22, 1932, Scales started her profession as an assistant stage supervisor before she pivoted to appearing, along with her breakout gig being the Nineteen Sixties sitcom “Marriage Lines.”
From 1975 to 1979, Scales starred as the domineering Sybil Fawlty in “Fawlty Towers” which made her a family title.
John Cleese, Prunella Scales in “Fawlty Towers.” ©BBC/Courtesy Everett Collection
Prunella Scales in an episode of “Fawlty Towers” in 1975. Radio Times through Getty Images
Prunella Scales, Connie Booth, John Cleese and Andrew Sachs on the set of “Fawlty Towers.” Getty Images
The sequence, created by John Cleese and Connie Booth, takes place in a dysfunctional resort in a seaside city in South West England and facilities on proprietor Basil Fawlty (Cleese), his spouse Sybil (Sccales), chambermaid Polly (Booth) and waiter Manuel (Andrew Sachs).
John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth in “Fawlty Towers.” BBC. Courtesy: Everett Collection.
In a 1995 interview with Radio Times, Scales revealed that TV sitcoms have been her “least favorite form of work.”
“I never really felt ready to go on Fawlty Towers,” she said. “Do you think I’m still lumbered with that show? People need a peg to hang you on and I’m grateful to it on the whole. It opened, rather than closed, doors for me.”
Scales was also well-known for playing Sarah France in the ITV sitcom “After Henry” from 1988 to 1992.
John Cleese, Brian Hall (behind) and Prunella Scales in a scene from “Fawlty Towers.” Radio Times through Getty Images
Prunella Scales, John Cleese, Ballard Berkeley in “Fawlty Towers.” ©BBC/Courtesy Everett Collection
Her other notable appearing credit included the exhibits “Mapp & Lucia” and “Seven of One,” and the movies “The Boys from Brazil,” “The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne,” “Howards End” and “An Awfully Big Adventure.”
In 1992, Scales acquired nominated for a BAFTA for playing Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett’s one-act stage play “A Question of Attribution.”
Queen Camilla is seen assembly Prunella Scales Timothy West Gyles Brandreth during a backyard celebration at Lamb (*93*) in Rye, England in May 2024. Getty Images
Scales married Timothy in 1963. The couple appeared together in the 1987 two-act farce “What the Butler Saw.” They also have been presenters of the journey documentary sequence “Great Canal Journey.”
Before his loss of life in 2024, Timothy spoke about his spouse’s dementia battle.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales in London in 1986. Getty Images
Timothy West and Prunella Scales at a press event in London in March 2018. Dave Benett/Getty Images
“I miss Pru’s companionship as my best friend,” he said in an interview, per The Sun. “She doesn’t have much awareness of time so when she joins me, her face lights up as if we’ve been apart for days.”
“The look on her face makes me realize how much I love her,” Timothy added.
In addition to her sons, Scales is survived by one stepdaughter, seven grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
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