Leslie Phillips: Carry On and Harry Potter star dies aged 98

London Muricas News  — 

Leslie Phillips, the British actor who starred within the Carry On film franchise and later voiced the Sorting Hat within the Harry Potter movies, has died on the age of 98.

Phillips handed away “peacefully in his sleep” on Monday, his agent Jonathan Lloyd confirmed to the PA information company.

Although he was famed for his portrayals of upper-class cads, Phillips grew up talking with a pronounced working-class London accent, having been born within the metropolis’s northern suburb of Tottenham.

He misplaced the accent whereas finding out drama, dance and elocution on the prestigious Italia Conti Stage College.

His first movie appearances got here within the Nineteen Thirties, however it wasn’t till effectively after the conflict – when he served as a lieutenant within the Durham Mild Infantry – that he acquired his large break alongside Gene Kelly within the musical Les Ladies.

Turning down the chance to maneuver to Hollywood, he remained in Britain the place he went on to star in three Carry On movies: Carry On Nurse, Carry On Trainer and Keep it up Constable. He turned a family title, recognized for his suggestive catchphrases:”Ding Dong!” “Nicely, hi there,” and “I say!”

Youthful generations would, nevertheless, acknowledge Phillips’ voice from the Harry Potter motion pictures as he voiced the sorting hat, which matched the pupils at Hogwarts with one in every of 4 college homes: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin.

Phillips suffered a stroke eight years in the past, however was stated to have made a robust restoration.

Fellow actor Sanjeev Bhaskar tweeted a video of Phillips from his BBC present The Kumars at No 42.

Within the clip, Phillips associated how he as soon as discovered himself caught within the London Underground surrounded by members of the general public demanding he do his catchphrases.

Bhaskar tweeted: “One of many fantastic parts of doing #TheKumars42 was combining company like right here, Insanity and the fantastic #LesliePhillips, who couldn’t have been extra of a gent. A very heat, humorous and delicate man #RIPLesliePhillips”

Additionally paying tribute to him was Piers Morgan, who tweeted: “RIP Leslie Phillips, 98.

“Fantastic character & excellent comedy actor, finest recognized for his what he referred to as his ‘lecherous twit’ roles within the Carry On & Physician In The Home movies together with his catchphrases, ‘Ding Dong’, ‘Nicely, Hi there’ and ‘I Say..’ Unhappy information.”