Roger Rees, a Welsh-born actor known for roles on Broadway and television staples like Cheers and theWest Wing, died Friday night.
Rees died at his home in New York City after a brief illness, according to his representative, Rick Miramontez, the AP reported. He was 71.
The actor won a Tony and an Olivier Award for his role as Nicholas Nickleby in the 1982 Royal Shakespeare Company's production ofThe Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.
Rees played several well-known roles on US TV shows, including British ambassador, Lord John Marbury, on The West Wing and the pretentious millionaire Robin Colcord on Cheers in the 1980s.
On Broadway, Rees played Gomez in The Addams Family and most recently appeared as Anton Schell in The Visit.
Other notable roles included, Sheriff of Nottingham in Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Pink Panther and Sherlock Holmes in a 1988 version of the film.
Rees and husband, playwright Rick Elice, lived in New York together. The couple began their relationship in the early 80s.
On Twitter, "Roger Rees" and "Lord Marbury" were trending Saturday morning as fans and fellow actors responded to the news of his death.
Actor, Sir Patrick Stewart tweeted, "Brilliant actor, dear friend and colleague, witty, kind, private man, Roger Rees died this morning. A space is left that cannot
He killed Men in Tights
I remember him in Robin Hood
