Andrew Sachs, the actor best known for playing Manuel the bemused Spanish waiter in the BBC comedy series Fawlty Towers, has died. He was 86. Sachs’s wife, Melody Lang, said that he died in a care home last week. He had been suffering from vascular dementia for four years.
Actor John Cleese, who starred in the series as the hotelier who teases Manuel, led tributes to Sachs. He described him as a “brilliant farceur” and a “sweet, sweet man”. Talking to BBC Radio, Cleese said “If you met him you would never think for a moment that he was a comedian, you would think he was a rather cultivated bank manager possibly retired, because he was quite quiet and poised and thoughtful. And then you stuck that moustache on him and he turned into a completely different human being. He was wonderful.” Sachs won a BAFTA nomination for his portrayal of Manuel
Cleese also shared his grief on Twitter:
Just heard about Andy Sachs. Very sad….
I knew he was having problems with his memory as his wife Melody told me a couple of years ago…— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) December 1, 2016
…and I heard very recently that he had been admitted to Denham Hall,but I had no idea that his life was in danger. A very sweet gentle…
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) December 1, 2016
…and kind man and a truly great farceur.I first saw him in Habeas Corpus on stage in 1973.I could not have found a better Manuel. Inspired
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) December 1, 2016
Feature Image Courtesy : telegraph.co.uk
