Andrew Sachs, who played the Spanish waiter Manuel on the beloved 1970s British TV series Fawlty Towers, has died. He was 86.
The actor died Nov. 23, according to several British reports. His wife Melody told the Daily Mail that Sachs was diagnosed with dementia and died in a private-care home after a four-year battle with the disease.
Aside from acting opposite John Cleese on the BBC comedy (Cleese created the series with his wife, Connie Booth), Sachs also appeared on Doctor Who, The History of Mr. Polly and Radio 4’s Jeeves and Wooster.
Eight years ago, Sachs fell prey to prank phone calls made by Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand during a BBC radio show.
Several of his fellow actors paid tribute to Sachs on Thursday upon hearing the news.
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
¿Qué? No entiendo… estoy muy triste. Lo que es un hombre maravilloso. #andrewsachs #mañuel #FawltyTowers #sincerely 2016, you’re awful.
— Minnie Driver (@driverminnie) December 2, 2016
So sad that Andrew Sachs has died. A true friend and a kindred spirit. I still have the wonderful baby pictures he took of my children. RIP.
— Tony Robinson (@Tony_Robinson) December 1, 2016
RIP Andrew Sachs who spun comic gold as Manuel in ‘Fawlty Towers’. pic.twitter.com/nutlKpxK52
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) December 1, 2016
I had the pleasure of working with #AndrewSachs in ‘Attachments’. A beautiful soul who never tired of all my ‘Fawlty Towers’ questions.
— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) December 2, 2016
RIP Andrew Sachs. Many happy days spent in a sound studio with him. A talented man and a lovely kind gentleman.
— Josie Lawrence (@josielawrence1) December 2, 2016
RIP Junior Postman Tolliver Groat #andrewsachs pic.twitter.com/0cbdaMehBr
— Terry Pratchett (@terryandrob) December 1, 2016
