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Hello: The Autobiography
The autobiography of true national treasure LESLIE PHILLIPS , an actor who has featured in more British Number One box office smashes than anyone else and was the voice of The Sorting Hat in Harry Potter
'A lively book full of amusing anecdotes and insights into the life of a zestfully ambitious actor' SPECTATOR
Leslie Phillips's story begins with a poverty-stricken childhood in north London, made all the worse when his father died when Leslie was just ten years old. Soon after, he began his acting career, and since then he has worked with all the greats, from Laurence Olivier to Steven Spielberg.
Best known for his comic roles in the Carry On and Doctor series, he took the decision in later life to take on more serious roles in films such as Empire of the Sun, Out of Africa and Scandal, as well as performing in plays such as The Cherry Orchard.
Packed with hilarious anecdotes, in this long-awaited autobiography he recalls some of the great characters he has worked with, and also highlights how different he is in real life from his onscreen persona as a bounder. It is a fascinating story, brilliantly told.
'A lively book full of amusing anecdotes and insights into the life of a zestfully ambitious actor' SPECTATOR
Leslie Phillips's story begins with a poverty-stricken childhood in north London, made all the worse when his father died when Leslie was just ten years old. Soon after, he began his acting career, and since then he has worked with all the greats, from Laurence Olivier to Steven Spielberg.
Best known for his comic roles in the Carry On and Doctor series, he took the decision in later life to take on more serious roles in films such as Empire of the Sun, Out of Africa and Scandal, as well as performing in plays such as The Cherry Orchard.
Packed with hilarious anecdotes, in this long-awaited autobiography he recalls some of the great characters he has worked with, and also highlights how different he is in real life from his onscreen persona as a bounder. It is a fascinating story, brilliantly told.
- GenresBiographyAutobiography
447 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
15 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Phillips
43 books3 followersLeslie Samuel Phillips, CBE
There is more than one author named Leslie Phillips, and this information concerns actor Leslie Phillips who is well-known for his work in film, television, and radio. His contribution to the dramatic arts led to his being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and in 2008 he was advanced to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). His autobiography, 'Hello,' was published in 2006.
There is more than one author named Leslie Phillips, and this information concerns actor Leslie Phillips who is well-known for his work in film, television, and radio. His contribution to the dramatic arts led to his being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and in 2008 he was advanced to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). His autobiography, 'Hello,' was published in 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 28, 2020
Leslie Phillips was born in Tottenham in 1924, and still going at the grand age of ninety six years old.
A much-loved comic actor who has specialized in playing plummy, quintessentially English stereotypes, Leslie Phillips' heart was in acting from a very young age. He received elocution lessons as a child in order to lose his natural cockney accent (at that time a regional British accent was a major impediment to an aspiring actor) and he attended the Italia Conti School.
He began his theatrical career before the war and has appeared in more than 110 films. He was awarded the OBE, and in 2003 presented the British Comedy Awards with Jordan, showing once again how timelessly popular he is.
Leslie Phillips's story begins with a poverty-stricken childhood in north London, made all the worse when his father died when Leslie was just ten years old. Soon after, he began his acting career, and since then he has worked with Steven Spielberg, Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie, among many others.
Best known for his comic roles in the Carry On and Doctor series, he took the massive decision in the late 70's and early 80's to take on more serious roles in films such as Empire of the Sun, Out of Africa and Scandal, as well as performing in plays such as The Cherry Orchard, which started his career in serious roles. In this, his long-awaited autobiography, he recalls some of the great characters he has worked with, and the book is packed with hilarious anecdotes. He also highlights how different he is in real life from his onscreen persona as a bounder.
It is a fascinating story, brilliantly told, to me so interesting because over the years all the great actors he worked with in his comedy roles to his later films roles, working with Gene Kelly, Robert Mitchum, his short six months in Hollywood, the parties, the games of tennis with James Mason.
He really has some great memories, made some great friends and great stories of some great characters of the British screen like his friendship with Ronnie Barker, Denholm Elliott, Jon Pertwee, Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, funny stories about Kenneth Williams, his friendship with Kenneth Connor.
One thing is for sure a true professional actor, who took his work seriously, gained many good friends, was a very hard worker, spending over 25/30 years saying yes to everything, working on the stage in the evening, film in the day, and also working on a radio series for many years.
A underrated actor, who for once took a gamble and say NO, to comedy roles and found great success in dramatic roles...
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1998 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to drama.
Supports Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
Worked on the BBC radio comedy The Navy Lark with other famous British comic actors Jon Pertwee and Ronnie Barker.
A great book told honestly and with interest.
A much-loved comic actor who has specialized in playing plummy, quintessentially English stereotypes, Leslie Phillips' heart was in acting from a very young age. He received elocution lessons as a child in order to lose his natural cockney accent (at that time a regional British accent was a major impediment to an aspiring actor) and he attended the Italia Conti School.
He began his theatrical career before the war and has appeared in more than 110 films. He was awarded the OBE, and in 2003 presented the British Comedy Awards with Jordan, showing once again how timelessly popular he is.
Leslie Phillips's story begins with a poverty-stricken childhood in north London, made all the worse when his father died when Leslie was just ten years old. Soon after, he began his acting career, and since then he has worked with Steven Spielberg, Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie, among many others.
Best known for his comic roles in the Carry On and Doctor series, he took the massive decision in the late 70's and early 80's to take on more serious roles in films such as Empire of the Sun, Out of Africa and Scandal, as well as performing in plays such as The Cherry Orchard, which started his career in serious roles. In this, his long-awaited autobiography, he recalls some of the great characters he has worked with, and the book is packed with hilarious anecdotes. He also highlights how different he is in real life from his onscreen persona as a bounder.
It is a fascinating story, brilliantly told, to me so interesting because over the years all the great actors he worked with in his comedy roles to his later films roles, working with Gene Kelly, Robert Mitchum, his short six months in Hollywood, the parties, the games of tennis with James Mason.
He really has some great memories, made some great friends and great stories of some great characters of the British screen like his friendship with Ronnie Barker, Denholm Elliott, Jon Pertwee, Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, funny stories about Kenneth Williams, his friendship with Kenneth Connor.
One thing is for sure a true professional actor, who took his work seriously, gained many good friends, was a very hard worker, spending over 25/30 years saying yes to everything, working on the stage in the evening, film in the day, and also working on a radio series for many years.
A underrated actor, who for once took a gamble and say NO, to comedy roles and found great success in dramatic roles...
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1998 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to drama.
Supports Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
Worked on the BBC radio comedy The Navy Lark with other famous British comic actors Jon Pertwee and Ronnie Barker.
A great book told honestly and with interest.
May 14, 2017
No dishing the dirt or sordid stories, just a thoroughly enjoyable, pleasant read.
September 15, 2021
dull
Bought this on the basis of the reviews, which promised hilarious anecdotes, etc. But 90% of the book was a recital of the various plays and movies he was in, and the theatre people he worked with. My knowledge of the London theatre scene is nil, and I never heard of the vast majority of people he mentions, though obviously there are stars mentioned too. The only part of the book that felt real, or had any emotion in it, was his description of his war service. The rest of the book left me cold.
Bought this on the basis of the reviews, which promised hilarious anecdotes, etc. But 90% of the book was a recital of the various plays and movies he was in, and the theatre people he worked with. My knowledge of the London theatre scene is nil, and I never heard of the vast majority of people he mentions, though obviously there are stars mentioned too. The only part of the book that felt real, or had any emotion in it, was his description of his war service. The rest of the book left me cold.
June 24, 2025
At the end of "Leslie Phillips: The Autobiography" the actor is keen to point out that "Most of all, I wanted to make clear the great difference between an actor's public image and the private person hiding behind it..." which strikes me as ironic? hypocritical? seeing as it is impossible to separate the two. In real life he has been nothing but a dirty old lecher, and largely that has been the role that he has played on screen and in the theatre. When by Page 18 the author is talking about his sister allowing him to shove his hands inside her blouse and lovingly fondle her breasts then you get an idea of where these anecdotes are going. Only they don't. You would expect a cavalcade of smut after that but there is nothing except innuendo and to be honest it all becomes quite turgid. There is a long list of "accomplishments" and I was surprised at the breadth of his ouevre - ooh err missus- but has been around for a lifetime so...Interestingly the only person that seems to have called him out was Brenda Blethyn. Good for her!
April 28, 2024
Excellent journey through post war entertainment
With a long and illustrious career, I was drawn to Leslie Phillips autobiography by an expectation his life dissected with a great number of familiar actors, and looked forward to hearing his views on them. On this I was not disappointed: from Olivier, Gielgud, Plowright, Hopkins and even Daniel Craig. However, despite the book's title hinting at a typecast life, it is the variability and success of Phillips own career that impresses. Never out of work, always engaging and developing with the next generation, his is an exemplary resume. The endless anecdotes are well written, the structure solid and entertaining. As with all autobiographies, you wonder what layers remain unexplored, but Phillips is generally forthright and honest. It is a valuable insight into British theatre, radio, TV and film by someone who saw and experienced it all.
With a long and illustrious career, I was drawn to Leslie Phillips autobiography by an expectation his life dissected with a great number of familiar actors, and looked forward to hearing his views on them. On this I was not disappointed: from Olivier, Gielgud, Plowright, Hopkins and even Daniel Craig. However, despite the book's title hinting at a typecast life, it is the variability and success of Phillips own career that impresses. Never out of work, always engaging and developing with the next generation, his is an exemplary resume. The endless anecdotes are well written, the structure solid and entertaining. As with all autobiographies, you wonder what layers remain unexplored, but Phillips is generally forthright and honest. It is a valuable insight into British theatre, radio, TV and film by someone who saw and experienced it all.
June 3, 2019
Brilliant reading and truly enlightening.
Thanks to my eldest daughter Claire for start a 60 year old non reader in the path of the autobiography. I have now read a few and I had given me an understanding that everything in life takes a lot of hard work. Thank-you Leslie for a truly great read and proving that stars are human and work harder than other's. Thanks. Kindest Regards Dave
Thanks to my eldest daughter Claire for start a 60 year old non reader in the path of the autobiography. I have now read a few and I had given me an understanding that everything in life takes a lot of hard work. Thank-you Leslie for a truly great read and proving that stars are human and work harder than other's. Thanks. Kindest Regards Dave
November 9, 2018
Leslie Phillips is an actor I like and this autobiography was better than I feared, with many similar ones just feeling like a list of what was done. Leslie picked out the highlights and gave a good chunk of personal life too. I do think the book was a bit long, but I read it all and if you are a fan, it is worth a read.
January 8, 2021
A fantastic read into the eclectic life and career of a very talented man, he gives you the ups, downs and everything inbetween, a great read of all the tv, film and theatre he has done both here and abroad and the trials of his personal life.
February 17, 2019
Love it it's great to read a book about some one who has a great story to tell and it has all of that big times up 😃😃😃😃
September 22, 2020
At times a very funny but moving account of one of most loveable characters and actor Leslie Philips very enjoyable read
June 19, 2025
I found this interesting, as I think a little bit of theatre may be in my blood. My great aunt Constance smith was a Hollywood A lister back in the day. I love black and white films
October 17, 2023
The amazing career and life of one of the most charming Leslie Philips. The book covers his early life onward through his stage and film roles. A very well written biography and easy to follow. I personally did not realize how much he had performed on stage along with film roles. There is lots more interesting facts and information of is personal life that is included and is well balanced with the usual documented stage and film roles. Overall a book well worth buying on a much talented and loved entertainer and actor.
July 15, 2012
In some ways Leslie Phillips autobiography is exactly what you expect. The other 95% is stuff you never knew. What is, generally, public knowledge is: 'Hello!', 'Ding Dong, you're not wrong.' and no, that's pretty much it. You expect that caddish, smoothie, womanising lounge lizard.
The truth is a revelation.
One of the best reads you will get for the money.
The truth is a revelation.
One of the best reads you will get for the money.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews