- His ashes were sprinkled into the Atlantic Ocean.
- Won Broadway's 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 (1982). 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.
- Rees's longtime romantic partner (and, as of 2011, husband) is writer/producer 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.
- Became an American citizen in 1989.
- He and his husband Rick Elice, a playwright, were a couple from 1982 and lived together in Manhattan from 1996. They and their duplex co-op apartment in the famous Beresford building at 81st St. and Central Park West, home to many celebrities, was featured in a 2013 New York Times article.
- The Olivier Award he won for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" was for Actor of the Year in a New Play.
- He converted from Christianity to Judaism in the 1980s.
- Son of Doris Louise (née Smith), a shop clerk, and William John Rees, a police officer.
- Started his career with the Royal Shakespeare Company and attended the Slade School of Fine Arts.
- 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.
- Currently directing BD Wong in the La Jolla Playhouse's production of "Herringbone". Wong plays 11 roles in this one-man show. (August 2009)
- Starring as "Vladimir", opposite Sir Ian McKellen's "Estragon", in "Waiting for Godot", at Theatre Royal Haymarket in London's West End. (January 2010)
- Was friends with Prince Michael of Greece and wife Marina.
- Born on the same date as fellow Welsh actor John Rhys-Davies.
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