Like a number of British actors of the same generation , he was forced to quit the show in late May of 2015. The 71-year-old actor died on July 10, 2015.
Won Broadways 1982 Tony Award as Best Actor for playing the title role in "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby," a role he recreated in the television version with the same title, "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" . He was also nominated for a Tony Award in the same category in 1995 for "Indiscretions."
Was painting scenery at the Wimbledon Theatre when approached to play a part in "Hindle Wakes" in 1965.
In November 2004, he was named artistic director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Williamstown, Massachusetts, only the fourth person to hold the post in its half century. He left the position in October 2007.
Became an American citizen in 1989.
Started his career with the Royal Shakespeare Company and attended the Slade School of Fine Arts.
Son of Doris Louise (ne Smith), a shop clerk, and William John Rees, a police officer.
Reess longtime romantic partner (and, as of 2011, husband) is writer/producer Eric Elice (aka "Rick" Elice), who co-wrote the musicals "Jersey Boys" and "The Addams Family". Rees and Elice have also collaborated professionally, most notably as co-playwrights of the comedic thriller, "Double Double". In March 2011, Rees took over the role of "Gomez Addams" in the "Addams Family" musical (the role had previously been played by Nathan Lane and Merwin Foard ). In 2011, Rees was the co-director for the play "Peter and the Starcatcher," which was adapted for the stage by Rick Elice.
He and spouse Eric Elice (aka Rick Elice), a playwright, have been a couple since 1982 and have lived together in Manhattan since 1996. They and their duplex co-op apartment in the famous Beresford building at 81st St. and Central Park West, home to many celebrities, is featured in a 2013 NY Times article.
Is friends with Prince Michael of Greece and wife Marina.
(August 2009) Currently directing BD Wong in the La Jolla Playhouses production of "Herringbone". Wong plays 11 roles in this one-man show.
(January 2010) Starring as "Vladimir", opposite Sir Ian McKellen s "Estragon", in "Waiting for Godot", at Theatre Royal Haymarket in Londons West End.
He converted from Christianity to Judaism in the 1980s.
His ashes were sprinkled into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Olivier Award he won for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" was for Actor of the Year in a New Play.
