Leslie Phillips, the British actor known for his roles in the Harry Potter and Carry On franchises, has died aged 98.
Hi agent Jonathan Lloyd confirmed to Deadline he passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday.
Phillips began acting back in the 1930s and went on to have a glittering stage and screen career, appearing in several of the British Carry On comedies of the 20th century and as the voice of the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter films. He was also nominated for a BAFTA for his role in Hanif Kurieshi’s Venus in 2006, in which he starred opposite to Peter O’Toole.
Phillips’ distinctive voice and roles as smooth upper-class British characters made him famous in the UK and U.S., along with his saucy catchphrases “Ding Dong”, “Heee-llo” and “I Say” in the likes of Carry On Teacher, Carry On Columbus and Carry On Nurse.
He made his film debut in 1938 in Lassie From Lancashire and went on to appear in hundreds of theatrical and TV roles, before taking on his role in the Harry Potter films towards the end of his career.
Phillips became an OBE in 1998 and was promoted to CBE.
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