Leslie Phillips, the English comedy actor known for his role in the Carry On films and more internationally recognized as the voice of the Sorting Hat in Harry Potter, died Monday morning. He was 98.

His agent in the U.K., Jonathan Lloyd, confirmed Phillips' passing to EW, saying the actor died "peacefully in his sleep."

Phillips' wife, Zara, separately told The Sun, "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."