Alan Rickman 1946-2016
By Ani Bundel
Alan Rickman, the man who brought Severus Snape to life on the big screen is dead. Long Live Professor Snape.
This has been a hard week. On Monday the world woke up and learned David Bowie had passed on. Today, the world woke up and discovered another giant, this time of the theaters and the big screen had also left us. Alan Rickman, known for his performances from GalaxyQuest to Love Actually to all eight Harry Potter movies as Professor Severus Snape, has passed away. He was 69.
The family statement reads: “The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends.”
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
Though Potter fans think of Severus Snape when they think of Rickman, he had a long and storied career prior to being cast in the Harry Potter series. Some of his most famous roles included Hans Gruber in Die Hard, the sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Col Brandon in Jane Austin’s Sense and Sensibility. Post Potter, he appeared as Ronald Reagan in The Butler, and Absolem the Caterpillar in Alice and Wonderland, a role he reprises in Alice Through The Looking Glass, which comes out later this year. He also is set to star in Eye In The Sky, the trailer for which only dropped a couple of weeks ago.
Rickman never won an Oscar in his lifetime, but has received Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Emmys for his work over his long career.
The acting world is devastated. Twitter reactions are still rolling in.
A true legend of stage and screen. Alan Rickman, RIP. pic.twitter.com/VbpSOi7e5X
— National Theatre (@NationalTheatre) January 14, 2016
Terribly sad news about the passing of Alan Rickman. A funny and engaging person who put a shy young actor at ease when I was on HP.
— Oliver Phelps (@OliverPhelps) January 14, 2016
Alan Rickman at the BBC: Romeo and Juliet- '78, Barchester Chronicles- '82, Big Adventure- '98, Song of Lunch- '10 pic.twitter.com/ETVoYnS2P4
— BBC (@AboutTheBBC) January 14, 2016
Shocked & sad to hear Alan Rickman has passed away. One of the nicest actors I've ever met.Thoughts and prayers with his family at this time
— James Phelps (@James_Phelps) January 14, 2016
What desperately sad news about Alan Rickman. A man of such talent, wicked charm & stunning screen & stage presence. He'll be sorely missed
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) January 14, 2016
We close this obituary with Rickman’s parting words to Potter fans upon finishing recording his iconic turn as Snape.
Thank you, Professor.
Next: J.K. Rowling's Revenge on Stephen Fry
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