Star of Stage and Screen Roger Rees Dies at 71

It was just back in late-May when we reported that Roger Rees, then starring in The Visit on Broadway opposite Chita Rivera had departed the show on a medical leave. Today, we are sad to share the news that the Tony-winning star passed away on Friday evening, at home in New York at 71. According to a statement from his publicist, he passed away at home after battling a brief illness.

Prior to The Visit on Broadway, Rees, who was married to Broadway's Rick Elice, appeared in the Encores! production of THE BAND WAGON.

He also played opposite Chita Rivera in THE VISIT at the Williamstown Theatre Festival last summer, and recently directed the world premiere of DOG AND PONY at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.

A talent on all sides of the stage, he co-directed PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (with Alex Timbers), garnering a Tony Award nomination for Best Director. Roger is an Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and was Artistic Director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival for three years.

He won the Olivier and Tony Awards for playing Nicholas in THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY on Broadway and in London.

His many Broadway and off-Broadway acting credits include INDISCRETIONS (Tony, Drama Desk nominations), THE END OF THE DAY (Obie Award), UNCLE VANYA, THE UNEASY CHAIR, THE REHEARSA, THE MISANTHROPE, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, THE ADDAMS FAMILY ‹in which he played Gomez opposite the Morticias of both Bebe Neuwirth and Brooke Shields‹and the recent acclaimed revival of The Winslow Boy.

His television credits include recurring roles on NBC's THE WEST WING and CHEERS. He also has toured with his one-man show, WHAT YOU WILL, which premiered at the Folger Theatre in Washington, DC.

Broadway Reacts - Click Here for co-stars, colleagues, fans and industry luminaries takling about the too soon passing of Roger Rees.

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