Beloved actor of stage and screen, Alan Rickman, dies at age 69

This was the call of netizens and fans worldwide upon learning that actor Alan Rickman, who played the role of Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films, had died due to cancer on Thursday (January 14, 2016).

Rickman appeared in an array of blockbuster films during his prolific career, from 1988’s Die Hard with Bruce Willis to 2003’s Love Actually and the Harry Potter films. But he gained legions of younger fans with his portrayal of the largely malicious teacher Severus Snape in all eight Harry Potter films from 2001 to 2011.

According to Rickman’s family, the actor had been fighting cancer and died “surrounded by family and friends”, the Guardian reported.

“I’m pretty sure he came and saw everything I ever did on stage both in London and NY”.

“People create perceptions of actors based on the parts they played so it might surprise some people to learn that contrary to some of the sterner(or downright scary) characters he played, Alan was extremely kind, generous, self-deprecating and amusing”, Radcliffe wrote. And while Tim Burton’s 2007 take on Sweeney Todd was a serviceable screen version of the Stephen Sondheim musical, casting Rickman as the creepy Judge Turpin was no great stretch. “He was a magnificent actor & a wonderful man”, she wrote. Radcliffe penned a touching tribute to the actor, whom he consider as his mentor ever since their work together on the “Harry Potter” films.

Fellow stars like Hugh Jackman also mourned Rickman’s death, and shared: “Alan Rickman”.

“Being back in those corridors made me remember a lot of things and I will treasure those memories all my life”.

“A man of such talent, wicked charm and stunning screen and stage presence. He will be sorely missed”.

If any one person can convince you of the idea that its never too late, it should be Rickman: Though he was a veteran theater actor, his turn as Hans Gruber marked his feature film debut – at age 42.

Comedian Eddie Izzard said he did not want his heroes to die.

But what we loved to love about Rickman onscreen and onstage was his air of withering superiority – those arched eyebrows, that disdainful hint of a sneer, the penetrating gaze that suffered no fool, and most of all, the deep, slinky snarl of that voice. You were an inspiration to us all.

Chris Rankin, who played Percy Weasley, wrote: “Just had very bad news of Alan Rickman’s death”.

“He did so much brilliant work but Alan Rickman in Galaxy Quest: one of the greatest comedy performances ever”.