The 1982 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play recognized the stage work of Roger Rees, who created the title role in David Edgar’s adaptation of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. This achievement established him as a significant presence in international theatre before he transitioned into a versatile career spanning British and American screen productions.
Early Training and Shakespearean Beginnings
Born in Aberystwyth in 1944, Rees grew up in Balham, London. He studied art at the Camberwell College of Arts and the Slade School of Fine Art. His theatrical career began unexpectedly while he painted backdrops at the Wimbledon Theatre. He later joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he appeared as Malcolm in the 1976 stage production of Macbeth directed by Trevor Nunn.
Television and Film Roles
Rees gained wide recognition for his television work, notably as Robin Colcord on Cheers and Lord John Marbury on The West Wing. His film credits included the role of the Sheriff of Rottingham in Mel Brooks’ Robin Hood: Men in Tights, as well as appearances in The Prestige and Frida. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he maintained a consistent presence in British and American television projects.
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Beyond acting, Rees served as artistic director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival from 2004 to 2007. He frequently collaborated with his partner and husband, Rick Elice, including co-directing the production of Peter and the Starcatcher. He also directed plays such as The Primrose Path and the musical Dog and Pony. In 2012, he performed a one-man Shakespeare show titled What You Will at London's Apollo Theatre.
Final Performances and Legacy
In his final years, Rees balanced a diagnosis of brain cancer with professional commitments. He starred alongside Chita Rivera in the Broadway musical The Visit, opening on 23 April 2015. He left the production in May 2015 as his condition declined. He died in New York City on 10 July 2015. In November 2015, he was posthumously inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
Fast facts
- Born: 1944, Aberystwyth
- Died: 2015, New York City
- Tony Award: 1982, Best Actor in a Play
- Naturalized American citizen: 1989
- Artistic Director, Williamstown Theatre Festival: 2004–2007
- Education: Slade School of Fine Art; Camberwell College of Arts
- Posthumous honor: American Theater Hall of Fame, 2015
- Spouse: Rick Elice
Questions readers ask
What were some of Roger Rees's most notable television roles?
He is widely remembered for playing Robin Colcord on Cheers and Lord John Marbury on The West Wing.
Did Roger Rees win any major theatre awards?
Yes, he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1982 for his performance in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.
What was the final stage production he appeared in?
His final role was as Anton Schell in the Broadway musical The Visit, which opened in April 2015.
Achievements
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play — 1982
- Worked as television actor, film actor and stage actor
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