Claire Nielson, the Scottish actor best remembered for her roles in The Two Ronnies and Fawlty Towers, has passed away at the age of 89.
Nielson, who died on 29 April, made a memorable guest appearance in the 1979 episode of Fawlty Towers titled “The Waldorf Salad”. She played Mrs Hamilton, a guest who arrives at the hotel alongside her belligerent American husband, portrayed by Bruce Boa.
Despite the iconic nature of the role, Nielson's agent was reportedly furious about her taking the part. According to The Times, her agent believed it would “ruin” her career because “back then, pretty young women who did light entertainment stopped being offered dramatic parts”. Nielson, however, was undeterred. She once declared: “I’d always preferred comedy, so I didn’t care.”
Early Career and Training
Nielson began her acting journey after securing a place at the Royal Scottish Academy of Dramatic Art, now known as the Royal Scottish Conservatoire. She later trained at Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop. Her early career included a mix of stage and screen work, with dramatic roles in the 1960s crime series Ghost Squad, the Scottish show Scotch and Wry, and the 1971 film Kidnapped, where she starred alongside Michael Caine and Trevor Howard.
However, she found her true calling in comedy, appearing in numerous sitcoms and sketch shows. Besides The Two Ronnies, she featured in The Dick Emery Show and the period drama Upstairs Downstairs.
Academic Pursuits and Later Life
In the 1980s, when Nielson was in her late forties, she enrolled at King’s College, Cambridge to study English literature. Remarkably, her daughter was studying at the same university at the same time. Having performed Shakespeare for years, Nielson credited the course with deepening her understanding of the dialogue.
Later in life, Nielson turned to writing and illustrating. She authored The House at Strone, a children’s adventure book, and co-wrote a guide to grandparenting with her husband, actor Paul Greenwood, best known for the sitcom Rosie. She also co-founded an acting workshop organisation in Stratford-Upon-Avon called Drama Pool.
Nielson was married twice—first to producer Dennis Vance in the 1960s, and then to Greenwood in 1994. She is survived by Greenwood and her daughter, Peggy.
