He played Brit tycoon Robin Colcord

Roger Rees, who played aloof British tycoon Robin Colcord in Cheers, has died at the age of 71.

The Aberystwyth-born actor played the snooty millionaire, a love interest for Kirstie Alley's character Rebecca Howe, in 17 episodes in the early Nineties.

He had previously been the star of ITV sitcom Singles, playing a cocky bachelor who believes himself an expert in women.

Rees also played played the Sheriff of Rottingham in Mel Brooks' 1993 spoof movie Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and was also a regular in The West Wing, playing the British ambassador to Washington, Lord John Marbury.

Rees was also known for his stage roles, winning a Tony Award for portraying Nicholas Nickleby on the New York stage in 1982, and appearing int original production of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing in London in 1984.

He died in his New York home yesterday, leaving a husband, writer/producer Rick Elice.

The news news broke on Twitter when New York Times theatre editor Scott Heller posted a message from Rees’ publicist: 'Roger Rees, Tony Award-winning actor, passed away tonight at home, after brief illness. Survived by husband, playwright Rick Elice.’

Published: 11 Jul 2015