'West Wing' and 'Cheers' actor Roger Rees dead at 71

Roger Rees, the Tony Award-winning actor who appeared in "The West Wing" and "Cheers," has died at 71, his agent said.

Rees died at his home in New York city Friday after a brief illness, his agent Rick Miramontez told AFP.

Born in Wales in 1944, Rees's performing career began on the stage, where he went on to win a 1982 best actor Tony for his role in the theatrical adaptation of Charles Dickens's "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby."

Known to many from "The West Wing," where he played the high-strung British ambassador in the popular Washington series, Rees also played a snooty British businessman on the hit 1980s comedy series "Cheers."

Rees garnered widespread recognition for his role as Sheriff of Rottingham in the 1993 Mel Brooks comedy, "Robin Hood: Men in Tights."

More recent credits include roles in US television shows "Elementary" and "The Good Wife."

Members of the acting community and fans paid tribute to Rees on social media.

"Brilliant actor, dear friend and colleague, witty, kind, private man, Roger Rees died this morning. A space is left that cannot be filled," Britain-born actor Patrick Stewart wrote on Twitter.

American actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson wrote: "R.I.P. Roger Rees. A true gentleman. A class act. A genuine man & brilliant actor. He will be missed. All my love to Rick & his loved ones."

Rees lived in New York with his husband, playwright Rick Elice.