Actor, Director. He was a Tony Award-winning actor who is best known for his roles on the television shows, 'Cheers' and 'The West Wing'. He spent his childhood in south London where he learned that he had a knack for art early on. He attended Camberwell College of Arts, then the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art, but soon changed directions when he was asked to fill in for a part at Wimbledon Theatre where he was painting a backdrop. He continued his stage career in the Royal Shakespeare Company beginning in 1967, where he appeared in 'The Comedy of Errors', 'Three Sisters', 'The Merchant of Venice', 'Othello', 'Twelfth Night' and 'Cymbeline'. His most iconic role was as the title character in the production of the Charles Dickens novel, 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby', which earned him an Olivier Award and a Tony, as well as an Emmy nomination, when the production was adapted for TV. He also earned Tony nominations for acting parts in 'Shadowlands', 'Six Degrees of Separation', 'Indiscretions' and as a director of 'Peter and the Starcatcher'. Off-Broadway, he won an Obie in Award in 1992 for his role in 'The End of the Day'. On TV, he played the snobbish Robin Colcord on 'Cheers' from 1989 to 1993 and the British ambassador, Lord John Marbury, in 'The West Wing'. He had dozens of other TV credits, including 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Elementary', 'Warehouse 13' and 'The Good Wife'. Among films he had roles in were 'Star 80' (1983), 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' (1993), 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1999), 'The Scorpion King' (2002), 'Crazy Like a Fox' (2004) and 'The Pink Panther' (2006). Rees died after a brief illness.
Actor, Director. He was a Tony Award-winning actor who is best known for his roles on the television shows, 'Cheers' and 'The West Wing'. He spent his childhood in south London where he learned that he had a knack for art early on. He attended Camberwell College of Arts, then the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art, but soon changed directions when he was asked to fill in for a part at Wimbledon Theatre where he was painting a backdrop. He continued his stage career in the Royal Shakespeare Company beginning in 1967, where he appeared in 'The Comedy of Errors', 'Three Sisters', 'The Merchant of Venice', 'Othello', 'Twelfth Night' and 'Cymbeline'. His most iconic role was as the title character in the production of the Charles Dickens novel, 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby', which earned him an Olivier Award and a Tony, as well as an Emmy nomination, when the production was adapted for TV. He also earned Tony nominations for acting parts in 'Shadowlands', 'Six Degrees of Separation', 'Indiscretions' and as a director of 'Peter and the Starcatcher'. Off-Broadway, he won an Obie in Award in 1992 for his role in 'The End of the Day'. On TV, he played the snobbish Robin Colcord on 'Cheers' from 1989 to 1993 and the British ambassador, Lord John Marbury, in 'The West Wing'. He had dozens of other TV credits, including 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Elementary', 'Warehouse 13' and 'The Good Wife'. Among films he had roles in were 'Star 80' (1983), 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' (1993), 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1999), 'The Scorpion King' (2002), 'Crazy Like a Fox' (2004) and 'The Pink Panther' (2006). Rees died after a brief illness.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
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