Lionel JeffriesBritish actor Lionel Jeffries has died, Reuters reports.

According to a spokesperson for his agent, Jeffries died this morning "following a long illness." He was 83.

Jeffries may be better known to movie-musical fans as Dick Van Dyke's father in the 1968 film 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.' He also played King Pellinore in the 1967 adaptation of 'Camelot.'

That same year, Jeffries received a Golden Globe nomination for the comedy 'The Spy Wtih a Cold Nose.' Lionel JeffriesBritish actor Lionel Jeffries has died, Reuters reports.

According to a spokesperson for his agent, Jeffries died this morning "following a long illness." He was 83.

Jeffries may be better known to movie-musical fans as Dick Van Dyke's father in the 1968 film 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.' He also played King Pellinore in the 1967 adaptation of 'Camelot.'

That same year, Jeffries received a Golden Globe nomination for the comedy 'The Spy Wtih a Cold Nose.'

In 1970, he made his directorial debut with 'The Railway Children,' for which he also wrote the screenplay. The film was based on the children's book by E. Nesbit.

According to reports, Jeffries married Eileen Mary Walsh in 1951. They had three children together -- one son and two daughters.

Watch a Clip From 'Chity Chity Bang Bang'