Roger Rees, a Tony-winning Broadway star who appeared on shows such as Cheers and The West Wing, has died at age 71.
, his rep confirmed to E! News, the Welsh-born actor passed away on Friday after battling an illness.
Rees had lived in the United States for the past couple of decades, andis survived by Jersey Boys musical co-writer Rick Elice, his longtime partner and husband of almost four years.
Like many U.K. stars, Rees began his career in the theatre. In 1982, Rees won Tony and Olivier awards for his lead role in Broadway and Royal Shakespeare Company productions of The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, an adaptation of the famous Charles Dickens novel.
