Prunella Scales
Known for ActingBorn 1932-06-22 — died 2025-10-27Sutton Abinger, Surrey, England, UK
Prunella Margaret Rumney West Scales CBE (née Illingworth; 22 June 1932) was an English former actor, best known for playing Sybil Fawlty, wife of Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), in the BBC comedy Fawlty Towers; for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution (Screen One, BBC 1991) by Alan Bennett (for which she was nominated for a BAFTA award); and for the documentary series Great Canal Journeys (2014–2021), in which she travels on canal barges and narrowboats with her husband, fellow actor Timothy West.
Known for
Emma
1996 · as Miss Bates
Wolf
1994 · as Maude Waggins
Howards End
1992 · as Aunt Juley
Fair Game
1994 · as Marjorie
Room at the Top
1958 · as Council Office Worker (uncredited)
The Boys from Brazil
1978 · as Mrs. Harrington
Hobson's Choice
1954 · as Vicky Hobson
Consuming Passions
1988 · as Ethel
Horrid Henry: The Movie
2011 · as Great Aunt Greta
Sub Rosa
2014 · as Madame
The Shell Seekers
2007 · as Dolly Keeling
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
2005 · as Sybil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Wicked Lady
1983 · as Lady Kingsclere
Run For Your Wife
2012 · as Woman in Pub
Freddie As F.R.O.7.
1992 · as Queen (voice)
Natural Causes
1988 · as Celia Bryce
The Phone Call
2013 · as Joan
Second Best
1994 · as Margery