Sad news this morning folks, celebrated British actor Alan Rickman has passed away aged 69 after losing his battle with cancer. Known for his popular turns in films like Die Hard and the Harry Potter film series, as well as his prolific involvement with Shakespeare, Rickman’s career spanned 38 years.
“The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends” read a statement from his family.
Speaking to BBC Radio, fellow thespian and Harry Potter star Michael Gambon said “Everybody loved Alan. He was always happy and fun and creative and very, very funny.He had a great voice, he spoke wonderfully well, he was intelligent, he wrote plays and he directed a play. So he was a real man of the theatre and the stage.”
After gaining success in the theatre and television roles Rickman shot to fame playing the villainous Hans Gruber in Die Hard in 1988. His final role was voicing Absolem the Caterbillar in the Alice in Wonderland sequel Through the Looking Glass. He also picked up the Golden Globe and Emmy for the television biopic Rasputin, and a BAFTA for his role as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
However it was his performance as the complex Severus Snape from the Harry Potter film series that earned him a new legion of fans. Go on, try reading those books now without having his unmistakable voice in your head.
Individuals within the film industry and fans have poured plenty of tribute following the news of his death.
There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman’s death. He was a magnificent actor & a wonderful man. — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 14, 2016
#AlanRickman pic.twitter.com/NFyKKsVhpJ
— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) January 14, 2016
ALAN RICKMAN (1946-2016) There is so much that is matchless to remember about Alan Rickman. pic.twitter.com/x6cRB4VIIS — Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) January 14, 2016
RIP Alan Rickman 💔 thank you for everything. you absolute legend. you will be forever in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/jBTZSWxv78
— Julia Ney (@ju_nechiporuk) January 14, 2016
Our heroes are measured only by the villains they fight. #AlanRickman @NewYorker pic.twitter.com/O0C9cqlR5z — Mike Ekey (@Mike_Ekey) January 14, 2016
Story first seen on ABC online.
