What was Prunella Scales' most famous role?

Prunella Scales was best known for playing the role of Sybil Fawlty, the intimidating wife of John Cleese's Basil, on the British sitcom 'Fawlty Towers'.

How long did Prunella Scales' acting career last?

Prunella Scales had a remarkable acting career that spanned nearly 70 years, from the 1950s until her retirement in 2013 due to vascular dementia.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Beloved 'Fawlty Towers' Actress Prunella Scales Dies at 93

Beloved 'Fawlty Towers' Actress Prunella Scales Dies at 93

Q: What other notable roles did Prunella Scales have?

In addition to her iconic performance in 'Fawlty Towers', Prunella Scales earned a BAFTA nomination for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the 1991 televised play 'A Question of Attribution'.

28 Oct

•

Summary

Prunella Scales, known for playing Sybil Fawlty, passed away peacefully at home
She was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013 but continued acting until retirement
Scales co-hosted 'Great Canal Journeys' with husband Timothy West until his death in 2024

Beloved 'Fawlty Towers' Actress Prunella Scales Dies at 93

Prunella Scales, the renowned British actress who captivated audiences as Sybil Fawlty on the iconic 1970s sitcom 'Fawlty Towers', has passed away at the age of 93. Scales died peacefully at her home in London on October 27, 2025, according to a statement from her sons, Samuel and Joseph West.

Scales' acting career spanned nearly 70 years, with her most famous role being the intimidating yet lovable wife of John Cleese's Basil Fawlty. In 2013, she was diagnosed with vascular dementia, which eventually led to her retirement from acting. However, Scales continued to live at home and even watched 'Fawlty Towers' the day before her passing.

Beyond her iconic performance in 'Fawlty Towers', Scales earned a BAFTA nomination for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the 1991 televised play 'A Question of Attribution'. From 2014 to 2020, she co-hosted the popular docuseries 'Great Canal Journeys' alongside her husband, the late actor Timothy West, who passed away in November 2024.

Scales is survived by her two sons, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Her family has expressed gratitude for the wonderful care she received in her final days, stating that she was "comfortable, contented and surrounded by love" until the end.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.