Roger Rees, a long-time theater and television actor best known for roles on Cheer and The West Wing, passed away on Friday night.
He was 71 years old.
Most dedicated to professional life on the stage, Rees left his latest Broadway musical (The Visit) to undergo some kind of medical procedure.
His representative confirmed to The Associated Press that Rees died at his home in New York after a brief illness.
The veteran star won a Tony Award for his role Nicholas Nickleby; and also an Emmy Award when the production was adapted for the small screen.
Rees also appeared in performances of The Addams Family, The Red Shoes and The Winslow Boy.
On television, he's best remembered for appearing as Robin Colcord for five years on Cheers and as British Ambassador Lord John Marbury on The West Wing for six years.
"Brilliant actor, dear friend and colleague, witty, kind, private man, Roger Rees died this morning. A space is left that cannot be filled," wrote Patrick Stewart on Twitter in the wake of this sad news.
