Timothy West, Legendary British Stage, TV and Film Actor, Dies at 90
Timothy West, a British star of stage, film and TV and the husband of Fawlty Towers star Prunella Scales, has died, his family said Thursday on social media. He was 90.
His career ranged from Shakespeare plays and such films as The Day of the Jackal to famous soap operas EastEnders and Coronation Street.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
“After a long and extraordinary life on and off the stage, our darling father, Timothy West, died peacefully in his sleep yesterday evening,” his children, Juliet, Samuel and Joseph West said in a statement shared on X.
“Tim was with friends and family at the end. He leaves his wife, Prunella Scales, to whom he was married for 61 years, a sister, a daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. All of us will miss him terribly.” The family added: We would like to thank the incredible NHS staff at St George’s hospital, Tooting, and at Avery Wandsworth for their loving care during his last days.”
West’s film roles included The Day of the Jackal (1973), in which he played Commissioner Berthier, and Cry Freedom (1987).
In 2013, he had a small role on the soap Coronation Street before appearing on EastEnders a year later as Stan Carter. He then portrayed that character for more than a year. His most recent TV show credits include Gentleman Jack.
On British TV, West also appeared in adaptations of Roald Dahl and Charles Dickens stories, including Oliver Twist. In Great Canal Journeys, he and Scales shared their love for traveling in narrowboats and explored how the couple navigated Scales’ dementia.
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
