Roger Rees, the Welsh actor who rocketed to fame as the title character in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, a sprawling stage adaptation of an obscure novel by Charles Dickens, died July 10. He was 71. He worked virtually to the last weeks of his life, appearing in the Broadway musical The Visit until forced to withdraw due to his declining health.

Roger Rees was in his mid-30s when he landed what would become the role of his lifetime, and it propelled his career into high gear. He appeared as a movie version of the film director Peter Bogdanovich in Bob Fosse’s final film "Star 80," about the tragic life and death of Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten. He starred in the British sitcom "Singles" from 1988 to 1991. In the States, he was highly visible as Robin Colcord, the wealthy and devious love interest of Kirstie Alley’s Rebecca Howe on "Cheers." Mr. Rees became a U.S. citizen in 1989.

Other film roles included Mel Brooks’ "Robin Hood: Men in Tights," "Frida" and "The Prestige." In the '00s, he played Lord John Marbury, the UK’s Ambassador to the United States in TV's "The West Wing."

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