The actor Andrew Sachs, best known for his portrayal of the Spanish waiter Manuel on the classic BBC comedy "Fawlty Towers", has died at the age of 86.
He'd been suffering from dementia, and his family says that he passed away in Britain last week.
Born in Germany, his family fled the Nazis and resettled in UK in 1938.
His career began with radio drama but he made his screen debut in 1959 and went on to become a familiar face on many British TV series.
But it was as Manuel, the waiter from Barcelona working for hotelier Basil Fawlty, played by John Cleese, that Andrew Sachs won worldwide fame.
He reflected on the character's success in this 2009 interview marking Fawlty Towers' 30th anniversary.
IN: "I often wonder…."
OUT: "….and I like that".
DUR: 32 seconds
(ALT)
Speaking in 2009 on the 30th anniversary of the program, Andrew Sachs recalled that it was John Cleese who personally offered him the role for which he will be best remembered.
IN: "He approached me…."
OUT: "….wouldn't it"
DUR: 32 seconds
(ALT)
In a 2009 interview marking the 30th anniversary of "Fawlty Towers", Andrew Sachs recalled that he'd sought reassurance that the program would be successful.
IN: "I thought it…."
OUT: "…bewilderingly successful"
DUR: 40 seconds