British actress Prunella Scales, renowned for her role as the sharp-tongued Sybil Fawlty in the beloved sitcom Fawlty Towers, has died at the age of 93. Her death occurred peacefully at her home in London on Monday. The news was confirmed by her sons, Samuel and Joseph West, through the U.K.’s PA Media news agency. They stated that Scales spent her final days “comfortable, contented and surrounded by love,” and revealed she had been watching episodes of Fawlty Towers the day before her passing.
In a heartfelt statement, the family expressed gratitude to those who provided care to Scales during her last moments. They emphasized the importance of the support she received, reflecting on the profound impact she had on her loved ones and fans alike.
A Celebrated Career
Scales was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013, which ultimately led to her retirement from acting after a remarkable career that spanned nearly seven decades. John Cleese, who co-created Fawlty Towers and portrayed her on-screen husband, Basil Fawlty, paid tribute to her in a statement to the BBC. “Scene after scene she was absolutely perfect,” said Cleese, now 86. “She was a very sweet lady, who spent a lot of her life apologizing. I used to tease her about it. I was very, very fond of her.”
Born in Surrey, England, in 1932, Scales began her career in theatre as an assistant stage manager in 1951. Her first significant television role emerged in the 1960s sitcom The Marriage Lines, but she gained international fame through Fawlty Towers, which aired only 12 episodes from 1975 to 1979. The British Film Institute later named the series the greatest British television program of all time in 2000.
Lasting Legacy
Reflecting on her iconic character, Scales once told the Hollywood Reporter that Sybil’s frustration stemmed from realizing she had “landed with an upper-class twit for a husband.” Yet, she noted that beneath Sybil’s apparent disenchantment with Basil, there was a glimmer of genuine affection for him.
Beyond her most famous role, Scales enjoyed a prolific career across various mediums, including television, film, and theatre. Her notable credits include the 1980s series Mapp & Lucia and films such as Howards End and Wolf. In 1991, she received a BAFTA nomination for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the television play A Question of Attribution, and the following year, she was awarded a CBE for her services to drama.
Scales was married to actor Timothy West from 1963 until his death in November 2024. The couple co-starred in Channel 4’s Great Canal Journeys from 2014 to 2019. She is survived by her two sons, a stepdaughter, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Prunella Scales leaves behind a legacy that resonates with fans and colleagues, marking her as one of the most cherished figures in British television history.
