Andrew Sachs Has Sadly Passed Away At 86 Years Old

We are incredibly sad to have to report that the much-loved actor, Andrew Sachs, has lost his four-year-long battle with Dementia. The news has been confirmed by his family, with them revealing that the eighty-six year old actor passed away on 23rd November.

Andrew Sachs had a lengthy career in television, movies, and radio but he was probably better known for his portrayal of the comical Spanish waiter, Manuel, in British sitcom Fawlty Towers. Manuel was one of the most imitated comedic characters of the 1970’s and one of the most iconic characters in British television history. Although he often said nothing more than, “Que?” on the show, his most famous line was, “I know nothing.” You can reminisce over this hilarious line by watching the video below which is courtesy of the BBC Comedy Greats channel on YouTube. The channel also features other legendary clips from the show starring Sachs as Manuel, which you can watch right here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6EaoPMANQM

John Cleese, who starred alongside Sachs in Fawlty Towers, recently paid tribute to his friend during an interview with the BBC in which he described his co-star as, “a very nice and sweet man who was just a delight. If you met him, you would never for a moment think he was a comedian. You would think he was a bank manager, possibly retired. But then you stuck that moustache on him and he turned into a completely different human being.”

Upon hearing about Sachs’ passing, Cleese sent out the following tweets:

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

If media folk need more, I wrote the foreword to his book a couple of years ago,which apparently 'moved him to tears'
Going onstage now…

— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) December 1, 2016

As well as his role as Manuel in Fawlty Towers, Sachs can be remembered for his time in two of the biggest British television soaps. He joined the cast of Coronation Street in 2009 as Norris Cole’s half-brother Ramsey Clegg and then he made a brief appearance on Eastenders in 2015 as Cyril Bishop. Over the years, he has also had parts in Bergerac, Rising Damp, The Bill, Holby City, Casualty, and Silent Witness to name a few.

He was obviously a man of many talents who was able to make an entire audience laugh at the drop of a hat. He had always been a deeply adored character who seemed to make friends wherever he went, both on-screen and off-screen.

His friend and fellow actor, Tony Robinson recently told BBC Radio 5: Live that Sachs was a, “very modest,” person who was always surprised about the success he had. “People know him for that one comedy performance, but he was actually a magnificently talented man in a number of other fields,” Tony said before explaining that Sachs was also a very talented photographer and playwright.

Following Sachs’ death, Robinson posted the following tweet:

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

After the news of his death broke, Sachs has received an outpouring of touching tributes from his friends, colleagues, and fans from all around the world which further show how much he will be missed. Here are a few of the sweetest:

RIP Andrew Sachs. You came here as a refugee with nothing but your talent and your spirit, and you enriched our lives. Thank you so much.

— Eddie Marsan (@eddiemarsan) December 2, 2016

Very sad to hear about #AndrewSachs – a true comedy legend & great actor.
Thinking of you @johnrsachs & all the family. RIP. pic.twitter.com/xAywK9Pmt5

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 2, 2016

#AndrewSachs made me cry with laughter in my favourite sitcom.That legacy won't die but today a little cry that he and his era have gone.

— Miranda Hart (@mermhart) December 2, 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 HQ (@davidwalliams) December 2, 2016

Farewell #AndrewSachs. Creator of one of our most beloved EU migrants. Such warmth and wit; impossible to think of him without smiling.

— Samuel West ?? (@exitthelemming) December 1, 2016

Had the great pleasure to work with the sweet & gentle Andrew Sachs on @BertCoules 'Further Adventures'. His Manuel is imperishable. RIP

— Mark Gatiss ? (@Markgatiss) December 2, 2016

So sad that Andrew Sachs has passed away.This terrible year goes on & on.He gave us all so many laughs on Fawlty Towers, thank you.R.I.P.

— Tony Blackburn (@tonyblackburn) December 1, 2016

Sad to learn of the passing of Andrew Sachs. Fond memories sharing a dressing room with him & Bill Bailey at We Are Most Amused in 2008

— Omid Djalili (@omid9) December 1, 2016

So sorry to hear of #AndrewSachs passing. Happy memories of working with him, a lovely gentle man. Thoughts are with his family pic.twitter.com/OzNmKSjYuG

— Vicki Michelle MBE ? (@vickimichelle) December 1, 2016

In memory of Andrew Sachs, BBC One have revealed that they will be cancelling tonight’s planned episode of Still Open All Hours to make room for the legendary Fawlty Towers episode, “Communication Problems”. This episode features Manuel’s famed, “I know nothing,” line and will surely be enjoyed by many. You can catch the episode on BBC One at 7:30pm on Friday 2nd December. If you miss the episode or if you just want to watch it again then you can see it in full, here.

We send our sincerest condolences to Andrew’s family and friends during this sad time.

What was your favourite moment from Andrew Sachs? Tell us on Twitter, @CelebMix.

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