R.I.P. Alan Rickman

Alan Rickman, English actor and director, best known for his roles in Harry Potter, Die Hard & Love Actually, has died from cancer at the age of 69.  According to a family statement “He was surrounded by family and friends.”

It is truly a sad day for hollywood and fans all around the globe.  He touched so many generations and so many genres during his career.   He was an amazingly talented man, who I rank as one of my all-time favorite actors, and he will truly be missed.

R.I.P Alan

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

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

Actor Daniel Radcliffe (co-star in the Harry Potter films) wrote an amazing tribute:

Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with. He is also, one of the loyalest and most supportive people I’ve ever met in the film industry. He was so encouraging of me both on set and in the years post-Potter. I’m pretty sure he came and saw everything I ever did on stage both in London and New York. He didn’t have to do that. I know other people who’ve been friends with him for much much longer than I have and they all say “if you call Alan, it doesn’t matter where in the world he is or how busy he is with what he’s doing, he’ll get back to you within a day”.

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 funny. And certain things obviously became even funnier when delivered in his unmistakable double-bass.

As an actor he was one of the first of the adults on Potter to treat me like a peer rather than a child. Working with him at such a formative age was incredibly important and I will carry the lessons he taught me for the rest of my life and career. Film sets and theatre stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man.