'Cheers' star Roger Rees dies at 71

Roger Rees, a Welsh-born actor known for roles on Broadway and television staples such as Cheers and the West Wing, died Friday night.

Rees died at his home in New York City after a brief illness, according to his representative, Rick Miramontez, the AP reported. He was 71.

The actor won a Tony and an Olivier Award for his role as Nicholas Nickleby in the 1982 Royal Shakespeare Company's production of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.

Rees played several well-known roles on U.S. TV shows, including British ambassador Lord John Marbury on The West Wing and the pretentious millionaire Robin Colcord on Cheers in the 1980s.

On Broadway, Rees played Gomez in The Addams Family and most recently appeared as Anton Schell in The Visit.

His work also included roles in Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Pink Panther and Sherlock Holmes in a 1988 version of the film.

Rees and his husband, playwright Rick Elice, lived in New York together. The couple began their relationship in the early '80s.

On Twitter, "Roger Rees" and "Lord Marbury" were trending Saturday morning as fans and fellow actors responded to the news of his death.

Actor Sir Patrick Stewart tweeted: "Brilliant actor, dear friend and colleague, witty, kind, private man, Roger Rees died this morning. A space is left that cannot be filled."

Actor and director Samuel West tweeted: "Woke to the sad news of Roger Rees's death."

Contributing: The Associated Press