'Fawlty Towers' actor Andrew Sachs dies at 86

In this Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008 file photo, Britain's Prince Harry talks to British actor Andrew Sachs backstage at the Wimbledon Theatre after a charity performance in aid of the Prince's Trust charity, in London. (AP)

In this Wednesday, May 6, 2009 file photo, the cast of TV comedy series Fawlty Towers, from left, Prunella Scales, John Cleese, Connie Booth and Andrew Sachs reunite to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the TV show and mark a special programe "Fawlty Towers: Re-opened" at The Naval and Military Club, London. (AP)

Comic actor Andrew Sachs, known primarily for his role as Manuel in the 1970s situation comedy Fawlty Towers, has died. He was 86 and had been suffering from vascular dementia.

Actor John Cleese led tributes to the German-born British actor, who made the role of the bumbling Spanish waiter with the massive moustache all his own.

His son, John Sachs, told Associated Press that his father loved the craft of being an actor and was not interested in being a celebrity. Sachs put the moustache on so he wouldn't be recognized.

Born Andreas Siegfried Sachs in Berlin on April 7, 1930, his family moved to England when he was 8 years old to escape Nazi persecution of Jews.

He is survived by wife Melody, three children and four grandchildren.