Prunella Scales leaves behind legacy of theatre and television performances. The veteran actress died at 93, after a career spanning six decades.
Scales first broke into the world of theatre in the 1950s, performing on the London stage and later moving to Broadway. She gained recognition for her portrayal of Sybil Fawlty in the popular BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers, which cemented her status as a comedy star. Her performance earned her widespread acclaim and paved the way for her future success.
In addition to her work on television, Scales had a successful career on stage, performing in numerous productions at the National Theatre and other esteemed venues. Her performances were marked by subtlety and nuance, showcasing her exceptional talent as a character actress.
One of her most notable roles was that of Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett's play A Question of Attribution, which premiered at the National Theatre in 1988. Scales brought to life the monarch's enigma with great skill, earning praise from critics and audiences alike.
Scales' film career also yielded some notable performances, including appearances in Howards End and An Awfully Big Adventure. Her work on television continued throughout her career, with standout roles in adverts for Tesco and a range of dramas and comedies.
Throughout her life, Scales was devoted to her husband, actor Timothy West, whom she married in 1961. The couple had two sons together and maintained a long and fulfilling partnership both on and off stage.
Scales' awards and honours included being appointed CBE and granted the Freedom of the City of London. She also received honorary degrees from several universities.
In her later years, Scales appeared in the television series Great Canal Journeys with her husband, reliving their experiences on canal boats. Despite struggling with dementia, she remained active and engaged until the end of her life.
Scales is survived by her two sons, Samuel and Joseph, who will undoubtedly carry on her legacy as performers and artists. Her remarkable career serves as a testament to her talent, dedication, and enduring impact on the world of theatre and television.
Scales first broke into the world of theatre in the 1950s, performing on the London stage and later moving to Broadway. She gained recognition for her portrayal of Sybil Fawlty in the popular BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers, which cemented her status as a comedy star. Her performance earned her widespread acclaim and paved the way for her future success.
In addition to her work on television, Scales had a successful career on stage, performing in numerous productions at the National Theatre and other esteemed venues. Her performances were marked by subtlety and nuance, showcasing her exceptional talent as a character actress.
One of her most notable roles was that of Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett's play A Question of Attribution, which premiered at the National Theatre in 1988. Scales brought to life the monarch's enigma with great skill, earning praise from critics and audiences alike.
Scales' film career also yielded some notable performances, including appearances in Howards End and An Awfully Big Adventure. Her work on television continued throughout her career, with standout roles in adverts for Tesco and a range of dramas and comedies.
Throughout her life, Scales was devoted to her husband, actor Timothy West, whom she married in 1961. The couple had two sons together and maintained a long and fulfilling partnership both on and off stage.
Scales' awards and honours included being appointed CBE and granted the Freedom of the City of London. She also received honorary degrees from several universities.
In her later years, Scales appeared in the television series Great Canal Journeys with her husband, reliving their experiences on canal boats. Despite struggling with dementia, she remained active and engaged until the end of her life.
Scales is survived by her two sons, Samuel and Joseph, who will undoubtedly carry on her legacy as performers and artists. Her remarkable career serves as a testament to her talent, dedication, and enduring impact on the world of theatre and television.
93 is old but her work speaks for itself she had this amazing range from comedy to drama and it's crazy how we still remember Fawlty Towers today that Sybil Fawlty character is still fire 
and her partnership with Timothy West sounds so lovely they were like the ultimate theatre power couple 
what I love about Prunella Scales is she didn't just stop working when life got tough she kept going even with dementia and it's beautiful to see how she stayed active till the end 
anyway, we'll miss her talent and legacy but we'll also keep celebrating her amazing career 
). What I admire most about Prunella is the way she carried herself with humility and class throughout her life. 
. We're lucky to have had her legacy left behind, and I know Samuel and Joseph will do her proud as they carry on their mum's remarkable work 
! I mean, six decades in the industry? That's insane! 
She had this incredible range, from comedy to drama, and she always brought such subtlety and nuance to her performances. And who can forget that iconic role as Sybil Fawlty? 
she was literally iconic on screen, always brought characters to life in such a subtle way... think of fawlty towers and queen elizabeth ii 
can't believe she's gone now... her legacy will live on through her kids and all the amazing roles she played throughout her career 
you know I'm just sad she's gone we should all be thanking her for all the amazing performances she gave us over the years 
I mean think about it Fawlty Towers alone changed comedy forever Sybil Fawlty is an iconic character And Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution was pure magic 
. Life's not about achieving perfection, but about embracing every moment, good or bad. Scales' legacy shows us that it's the little things, like love and dedication, that truly matter 
. I mean, who needs a Netflix original series about her life when we already have a century's worth of her performances to look back on? Still, it's always nice to see the tributes pouring in from the theatre and TV communities - I guess they're trying to fill the void left by her irrepressible presence on screen. 
. Anyway, here's to Prunella - may her legacy live on in our collective memory of great TV and theatre performances 
she must've been an amazing partner on stage and off it's awesome she inspired so many people let's remember her legacy 
she was so talented and had an amazing career spanning 6 decades 
#RIPPrunellaScales #TheatreLegend #ComedyIcon #Tribute