Leslie Phillips, the comic actor, has died after an eight decade career during which he starred in 200 films. Known for Carry On and Doctor in the House films and the long-running BBC radio The Navy Lark. He latterly provided the voice of the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter films and had a sterling career in classical theatre though he never shook off the leering roles of his popular successes.
Born 20 April 1924 he lost his father when he was 10 to illness and his mother then sent him to a drama, dance and elocution academy. His first stage appearance aged 12 was playing a wolf in Peter Pan at the London Palladium with Anna Neagle. From the age of 14, he was the family’s main breadwinner, and on tour more or less permanently. Actors such as John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier and Rex Harrison became his surrogate uncles. “They were my family. Very kind. They encouraged me to read books and educate myself.”
He was married five times, the last at 89 and had a tragedy- ridden life with his mother dying after being mugged at 93, and his first two wives dying in unfortunate circumstances.
He was a Sun Taurus or last degree Aries opposition Saturn in Libra square Mars in Capricorn – like most comedians he had a difficult temperament and background. Mars Saturn makes for a short temper and is often seen with a parent dying early. He also probably has a creative Water Grand Trine of Uranus trine Pluto trine a Scorpio Moon. His Venus in social-butterfly Gemini was in a charming and indulgent opposition to Jupiter square Uranus and trine Neptune so he would be outgoing and fairly changeable emotionally.
One of my very favourite actors who absolutely improved with age!
Hi Marjorie when you say Mars Saturn makes for a short temper and is often seen with a parent dying early, are you reffering to the square specifically? My mum has a tight square and lost her mum at 16. Thank you
I’ve noticed it more with the square though I haven’t studied it thoroughly. One of the old traditional meanings of Mars Saturn was death.
I have Mars conjunct Saturn in Sagittarius, ninth house and have had to temper my sarcastic, short fuse – also father died when I was 16. Have Sun square Neptune, which I have read is ‘father often drinker, and causing havoc in the home’. Sadly when he passed, I was relieved that I would no longer endure his oppressive behaviour.
Note also today’s complicated full moon at 16Taurus-Scorpio hits that possible t-square. Certainly square the Leo neptune which has also had Saturn opposing it this year. I think this must have been a tough time for him, especially at 98.
Saw he died and thought there was something scorpionic about his manner – turns out to be the moon.
He possibly also has a fixed t-square of Scorpio moon, Taurus Mercury outletting through Leo Neptune. That’s kind of the filmic image we saw of him.
Ding dong Leslie – rest in peace!