Rees Family Genealogy & History

Roger Rees was a celebrated Welsh-American actor and director known for his impactful contributions to theater, television, and film. He won both an Olivier Award and a Tony Award for his lead role in "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby." Rees further distinguished himself with Obie Awards for "The End of the Day" and as co-director of "Peter and the Starcatcher." On television, he captivated audiences with roles in "Cheers" and "The West Wing," while his film credits include "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" and "The Prestige." Rees was posthumously inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2015, affirming his enduring legacy in the performing arts.

Born in Aberystwyth, Wales, Roger Rees was the son of Doris Louise (née Smith), a shop clerk, and William John Rees, a police officer. The family moved to Balham, London, where Roger grew up before embarking on his illustrious career in the arts.

Angharad Mary Rees, The Hon. Mrs David McAlpine, CBE, was a distinguished British actress renowned for her leading role as Demelza in the 1970s BBC TV costume drama Poldark. Her television debut was in 1968, and she gained acclaim with roles in The Avengers, As You Like It, and Hands of the Ripper. Rees also graced London's West End in productions like The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Millionairess. After the tragic death of her son, she shifted focus to jewellery design, with her pieces featured in the film Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Her dedication to the arts earned her a Fellowship at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

Angharad Rees was born to Welsh psychiatrist William Linford Rees and his wife Catherine Thomas. The family moved to Cardiff when she was two years old. Rees had two brothers and a sister, forming a tight-knit family background that supported her early educational pursuits, which included attending Commonweal Lodge School, the Sorbonne, and the University of Madrid.

Laurence Rees, born in 1957, is an acclaimed English historian and documentary filmmaker renowned for his work on Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. He is a BAFTA-winning producer and former Head of BBC TV History Programmes. Rees has created influential series like "Nazis: A Warning from History" and "Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution," which is the best-selling history of the camp. His work has earned numerous awards, including a British Book Award, two Emmys, and a Peabody Award. Rees is praised for his comprehensive research and interviews with both survivors and perpetrators of World War II atrocities, providing an unparalleled cross-cultural perspective.

Leighton Thomas Rees was a legendary Welsh darts player, renowned for being the first BDO World Professional Darts Champion. Born on January 17, 1940, in Mountain Ash, Wales, Rees rose to prominence in the 1970s, achieving the World No. 1 status. He captured the inaugural 1978 BDO World Darts Championship title and was pivotal in popularizing darts on television. Rees was also part of the 1977 Wales team that won the World Darts Federation World Cup. His dynamic skillset and charismatic presence made him a beloved figure in the darts community.