May he rest in peace.
Leslie Phillips has passed away at the age of 98.
Phillips was perhaps best known for his work on the Carry On films, and for voicing the Sorting Hat in the film adaptions of the Harry Potter series.
The celebrated British actor had a lengthy career, which began in 1937. This was interrupted, however, as he served in the military during WWII.
As well as voicing the bewitched garment in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Phillips had numerous film roles throughout his life, including The Longest Day, Out of Africa, Empire of the Sun, Is There Anybody There? and August.
In 2006, he won a BAFTA for his role in Peter O’Toole’s film Venus.
As well as an acclaimed film star, Phillips was no stranger to television. His TV roles included The Bill, Holby City, Heartbeat, Lovejoy and Midsomer Murders.
In a statement (via the Oxford Mail), his wife Zara said: “I’ve lost a wonderful husband and the public has lost a truly great showman.
“He was quite simply a national treasure. People loved him. He was mobbed everywhere he went.
“When we married he cheekily introduced me to the Press as royalty, insisting I was the new Zara Phillips and that I was related to the Queen.”
