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Roger Rees

Date of Death: July 10, 2015 (71)

Birth Place: WALES

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BIO

Roger Rees (5 May 1944 – 10 July 2015) was a Welsh actor and director, widely known for his stage work. He won an Olivier Award and a Tony Award for his performance as the lead in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. He also received Obie Awards for his role in The End of the Day and as co-director of Peter and the Starcatcher. Rees was posthumously inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in November 2015.



He was widely known to American television audiences for playing the characters Robin Colcord in Cheers and Lord John Marbury in The West Wing. Americans also know him as the Sheriff of Rottingham in Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2015
Anton Schell

[Williamstown, MA (Regional)]
Williamstown Theatre Festival Production, 2014
Anton Schell

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2013
Arthur Winslow

[West End]
2012
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2010
Gomez Addams [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Dalton Trumbo [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2002
Alfie Byrne

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2000
Mikhail lvovich Astrov

[Off-Broadway]
1998
Capt. Josiah Wickett

[Broadway]
1996
Hero

[Broadway]
1995
George

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1993
Boris Lermontov [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
1992
Graydon Massey

[Broadway]
1981
Nicholas Nickleby

[Broadway]
1974
Charles Courtly

Productions

 
[US Tour, 2013]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2011]
Director
 
[Williamstown, MA (Regional), 2006]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Director
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Director

Writing

Bookwriter
Conceiver

Movies

Star 80
[ 1983 ] Aram Nichol
God's Outlaw
[ 1986 ] William Tyndale
Mountains of the Moon
[ 1990 ] Papworth
If Looks Could Kill
[ 1991 ] Augustus Steranko
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
[ 1992 ] Parnell
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
[ 1993 ] Sheriff of Rottingham
The Substance of Fire
[ 1996 ] Max
Sudden Manhattan
[ 1996 ] Murphy
Trouble on the Corner
[ 1997 ] Mr. McMurtry
Next Stop Wonderland
[ 1998 ] Ray Thornback
The Bumblebee Flies Anyway
[ 1999 ] Dr. Croft
A Midsummer Night's Dream
[ 1999 ] Peter Quince
BlackMale
[ 2000 ] Bill Fontaine
3 A.M.
[ 2001 ] Priest
Peter Pan 2: Return to Never Land
[ 2002 ] Edward
Frida
[ 2002 ] Guillermo Kahlo
The Scorpion King
[ 2002 ] King Pheron
The Emperor's Club
[ 2002 ] Mr. Ctle
Crazy Like a Fox
[ 2004 ] Nat Banks
Going Under
[ 2004 ] Peter
The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 3: From Sark to the Finish
[ 2004 ] Tulse Luper
The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 2: Vaux to the Sea
[ 2004 ] Tulse Luper
Game 6
[ 2005 ] Jack Hkins
A Life in Suitcases
[ 2005 ] Tulse Luper
Falling for Grace
[ 2006 ] Andrew Barrington Sr.
The Treatment
[ 2006 ] Leighton Proctor
Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties
[ 2006 ] Mr. Hobbs
The Prestige
[ 2006 ] Owens
The Pink Panther
[ 2006 ] Raymond Larocque
The Invasion
[ 2007 ] Yorish
The Narrows
[ 2008 ] Professor Reyerson
Happy Tears
[ 2009 ] Antiques Dealer
Almost Perfect
[ 2011 ] Kai Lee
Affluenza
[ 2014 ] Mr. Carson
Survivor
[ 2015 ] Emil Balan

TV Shows

Cheers
Robin Colcord
Elementary
Alistair Moore
It Could Be Worse
Roger Goldstein
M.A.N.T.I.S.
John Stonebrake
Related
Bob's Dad
Singles
Malcolm
The Legend of Prince Valiant
Rathburn, Lord Theodine
The West Wing
Lord John Marbury
Warehouse 13
James MacPherson

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2015 - Distinguished Performance Award

Roger Rees, The Visit


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2012 - Best Direction of a Play

Roger Rees, Peter and the Starcatcher

Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Direction of a Play

Roger Rees, Peter and the Starcatcher

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Roger Rees, A Man of No Importance

Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Roger Rees, Indiscretions

Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Roger Rees, Indiscretions

Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Roger Rees, Indiscretions

Tony Awards - 1995 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Roger Rees , Indiscretions

Olivier Awards - 1985 - Comedy Performance of the Year

Roger ReesLove's Labours Lost


winner
Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Roger Rees, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby


winner
Olivier Awards - 1980 - Actor of the Year in a New Play

Roger ReesNicholas Nickleby

Videos

News


Kelli O'Hara to Perform at Steppenwolf Theatre in April

Kelli O'Hara is set to perform at Steppenwolf Theatre in spring 2025. The Tony Award-winning actress will bring her Broadway talents to Chicago for two special nights. Learn more about the performance and see how to purchase tickets.
Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff & More to Join SING HAPPY: THE LYRICS OF FRED EBB at Birdland

The Fred Ebb Foundation will present SING HAPPY: THE LYRICS OF FRED EBB, a special event celebrating the work of the renowned lyricist. Performers include Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff, Telly Leung and more.
Registration Now Open for the 2025 Roger Rees Awards

Broadway Education Alliance Inc. has just announced that registration is open for schools to participate in the 2024-2025 Roger Rees Awards for Excellence in Student Performance. We have all of the details!
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY IN THEATRE: A NIGHT OF INSPIRATION to Play 54 Below Next Month

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, will present Celebrating Diversity in Theatre: A Night of Inspiration on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 9:30 pm.
Matthew Kelly and Julie Legrand Join Theatre Royal Windsor's FILUMENA

Matthew Kelly and Julie Legrand will join the previously announced Felicity Kendal in the Bill Kenwright Ltd/Theatre Royal Windsor production of Filumena directed by Sean Mathias. 
BWW Q&A: Marcia Mitzman Gaven on THE BOY FROM OZ at OFC Creations Theatre Center

OFC Creations Theatre Center will present McIver Ewing, well known for playing Waldo in THE LITTLE RASCALS and as Derek in FULL HOUSE as Peter Allen in OFC’s 2024-2025 season opener, The Boy From Oz.
Blake McIver Ewing, Marcia Mitzman Gaven & More to Lead THE BOY FROM OZ at OFC Creations Theatre Cente

Blake McIver Ewing and Tony Award Nominee Marcia Mitzman Gaven will headline THE BOY FROM OZ at OFC Creations Theatre Center in Rochester, NY. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
Interview: Catching Up with 2023 Jimmy Awards Winner Lauren A. Marchand

Just last summer, Lauren A. Marchand's world was turned upside down when she was named a winner at the 14th Annual Jimmy Awards. As the 102 new Jimmy Awards nominees continue their preparations for the 2024 ceremony, BroadwayWorld is checking in with Lauren to catch up on what she's been up to since her big win, as well as advice for this year's participants. 
Video: Meet the Jimmys-Bound Winners of the 2024 Roger Rees Awards

Just last month, Isaiah Baston and Ashlee Fucarino were named the winners of Outstanding Performance in a Musical at the Roger Rees Awards, both moving forward to represent the Greater New York region at the 15th Annual Jimmy Awards. Meet the winners in this video!
Bebe Neuwirth, Huey Lewis, Jeremy Jordan, Set for Broadway Teachers Workshop

Celebrating its 24th year, the Broadway Teachers Workshop is an enormously popular three-day series of interactive workshops and seminars with prominent Broadway artists, tickets to four (4) hit shows, and post-show discussions with cast and crew.
Jeanna de Waal, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and More Will Lead ANYTHING GOES at the Muny

Jeanna de Waal, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Kevin Chamberlin, George Abud, Kimberly Immanuel, Adrianna Hicks, Ann Harada, Lara Teeter, Eric Jordan Young, Danny Gardner, Spencer Jones and Joe Capstick will star in the Muny production of Anything Goes.
Winners Announced for the 2024 Roger Rees Awards

Talented students from across New York City gathered at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College for the Roger Rees Awards. We have the full list of winners!
Video: Watch the Pre-Show Red Carpet for the 2024 Roger Rees Awards

Today's the day! Students from across New York City gather for the 2023-24 Roger Rees Awards. Tune in to watch the live pre-show featuring BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge and Student Reporter winner Gianna Longo!
Photos: NYC Students Hit the Rehearsal Room for the Roger Rees Awards

Rehearsals have officially begun for the 2023-24 Roger Rees Awards, which will be hosted by Bonnie Milligan tomorrow, May 19, at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College. Check out out photos here!
Roger Rees Awards Reveals Student Nominees for Outstanding Performer In Greater NY

Broadway Education Alliance has revealed the student nominees for the Roger Rees Awards for Outstanding Performer in Greater NY. See the list!
Nominees Announced for the 14th Annual Roger Rees Awards

The Broadway Education Alliance has just announced the 50 Roger Rees Awards nominees for Outstanding Performer. Check out the full list!
Bonnie Milligan Will Host The 14th Annual Roger Rees Awards in May

Tony Award-winner Bonnie Milligan will host the 2023-24 Roger Rees Awards for Excellence in Student Performance on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at The Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College.
Bebe Neuwirth and Vanessa Williams To Announce 2024 Drama League Nominations

Broadway stars Bebe Neuwirth and Vanessa Williams joined forces to announce the 2024 Drama League Nominees.
Video: Vanessa Williams & Bebe Neuwirth Announce 2024 Drama League Awards Nominees

In this video, watch as Grammy, Emmy, and Tony nominee Vanessa Williams and Bebe Neuwirth co-host the 2024 Drama League Awards Nominations announcement from the Lincoln Center’s New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. You can watch the live stream exclusively here at BroadwayWorld.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 12, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 12, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Roger Rees been in?

Roger Rees has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.

How many West End shows has Roger Rees been in?

Roger Rees has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Roger Rees's first West End show?

Roger Rees's first West End show was What You Will which opened in 2012

What awards has Roger Rees been nominated for?

Roger Rees has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. These include the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for his role in "The Visit." He was also nominated for Best Direction of a Play at the BroadwayWorld Awards and the Tony Awards for his work on "Peter and the Starcatcher." Rees received an Outstanding Actor in a Musical nomination at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "A Man of No Importance." Additionally, he was nominated for Outstanding Actor - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for his performance in "Indiscretions" and received a Comedy Performance of the Year nomination at the Olivier Awards for "Love's Labours Lost." Rees was also nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for both "Indiscretions" and "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby." Finally, he received the Actor of the Year in a New Play award at the Olivier Awards for "Nicholas Nickleby."

What awards has Roger Rees won?

Roger Rees has won several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable wins include the Best Direction of a Play at the BroadwayWorld Awards for "Peter and the Starcatcher," the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby," and the Actor of the Year in a New Play at the Olivier Awards for "Nicholas Nickleby." These accolades highlight his talent and contributions to the theater industry.

How many shows has Roger Rees written?

Roger Rees has written 3 shows including Here Lies Jenny (Conceiver), Here Lies Jenny (Bookwriter), What You Will (Creator).

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