 Sinclair is primarily known for being the inspiration for the character Basil Fawlty, played by John Cleese, in the television sitcom "Fawlty Towers" that Cleese co-wrote.This was owing to his allegedly stuffy, snobbish and eccentric treatment of his guests, including Cleese and other members of the Monty Python cast.Cleese later played a character named Donald Sinclair in the 2001 film "Rat Race".