Leslie Phillips, who was the voice of the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter films, died at 98 after a long illness.

His agent told NBC News on Tuesday that “he died yesterday morning peacefully in his sleep.”

Phillips’ career has lasted for over 80 years in which he starred in more than 200 films, TV and radio series.

The late actor’s wife, Zara, told The Sun newspaper that her husband was a “national treasure.”

“I’ve lost a wonderful husband and the public has lost a truly great showman … People loved him. He was mobbed everywhere he went,” Zara said.