Comedy actor Leslie Phillips, voice of ‘Harry Potter’ Sorting Hat, dead at 94

Comedic actor Leslie Phillips, known for lending his voice to the Sorting Hat in the “Harry Potter” films, died Monday at age 98.

The London-born actor, who starred in the 2006 British comedy-drama flick “Venus,” died “peacefully at home,” his agent, Jonathan Lloyd, confirmed Tuesday. A cause of death for Phillips was not immediately reported.

Phillips had more than 170 film and TV credits to his name, starting with uncredited roles in several films for 10 years, starting in 1938.

Phillips’ first credited screen role was as Stoker Snipe in the 1948 TV movie, “Morning Departure.”

The actor, who starred on the short-lived 1952 sitcom, “My Wife Jacqueline,” also appeared in the “Carry On” film series, including installments like “Carry On Nurse,” “Carry On Teacher” and “Carry On Constable” in 1959 and 1960. And he scored a role in the 1957 Gene Kelly musical, “Les Girls.”

Younger audiences might better remember Phillips for his “Potter” role, which he debuted in the franchise’s first installment, 2001′s “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Phillips’ Sorting Hat reappeared in the following year’s “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” as well as in the last of the “Potter” films, 2011′s “Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”

“Wonderful character & superb comedy actor, best known for his what he called his ‘lecherous twit’ roles in the Carry On & Doctor In the House films,” tweeted Piers Morgan.

Phillips’ death marks the latest to hit the “Potter” family in recent weeks, following the Oct. 14 loss of Robbie Coltrane at age 72, who starred in the films as lovable ally Hagrid.

The Scottish actor, who suffered from several health issues, died as a result of multiple organ failure.

With News Wire Services