Scottish actor Claire Nielson, best known for her appearances in Fawlty Towers and The Two Ronnies, has died at the age of 89.
Nielson passed away on 29 April. She was widely recognised for her role in the 1979 Fawlty Towers episode “The Waldorf Salad,” where she starred opposite John Cleese. In the episode, she played Mrs Hamilton, the wife of an outspoken American guest portrayed by Bruce Boa.
Despite the role becoming one of her most memorable television appearances, Nielson once revealed that her agent had worried it could damage her career. At the time, she said, actresses known for light entertainment were often overlooked for serious dramatic work. However, Nielson was unfazed, later saying she had always preferred comedy.
She began her acting career after earning a place at the Royal Scottish Academy of Dramatic Art, now known as the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She also trained at Joan Littlewood’s renowned Theatre Workshop.
Throughout her career, Nielson appeared in a wide range of stage and screen productions. Her dramatic credits included Ghost Squad, Scotch and Wry, and the 1971 film Kidnapped, in which she appeared alongside Michael Caine and Trevor Howard.
Alongside drama, she became a familiar face in British comedy, appearing in popular programmes such as The Two Ronnies, The Dick Emery Show, and Upstairs Downstairs.
In the 1980s, while in her late forties, Nielson enrolled at King’s College, Cambridge to study English literature. Her daughter was attending the same university at the time. Nielson later said the course deepened her understanding of Shakespearean dialogue after years of performing the playwright’s works on stage.
Later in life, she turned to writing and illustration. She authored The House at Strone, a children’s adventure book, and co-wrote a guide to grandparenting with her husband, actor Paul Greenwood, who was known for the sitcom Rosie.
Nielson also co-founded Drama Pool, an acting workshop organisation based in Stratford-upon-Avon.
She was married twice — first to producer Dennis Vance in the 1960s, and later to Paul Greenwood in 1994.
She is survived by her husband Paul Greenwood and her daughter, Peggy.