With the pain of loss still heavy on the minds of so many across the world, it feels so unfair to have to make the following announcement. Just a few short days after the passing of David Bowie, another legend has lost their battle with cancer. This morning it was announced that the talented and incomparable actor Alan Rickman has passed away at 69.
In a statement made by the actor’s family, it was announced that he lost his battle with cancer surrounded by those who loved him most.
Rickman skyrocketed to international stardom after portraying the villainous Hans Gruber in Die Hard, opposite Bruce Willis. Since then, he’s risen to become one of Britain’s most recognizable actors, earning a BAFTA award for his role as the Sheriff of Nottingham in 1991’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the titular role in HBO’s Rasputin. The younger generations will remember him well as the complex and mysterious Severus Snape in the Harry Potter adaptations.
While he might best be remembered for his antagonist roles, Rickman was a versatile star who could pull off anything from the comedic (as seen in his portrayal of Metatron in Kevin Smith’s Dogma) to the romantic (perhaps best shown in Love, Actually).
Rickman can next be seen in the upcoming Alice in Wonderland sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass, reprising his role as the Blue Caterpillar. The movie is expected on May 27 of this year.
With his instantly recognizable voice and towering presence, Rickman’s absence from the acting world will be felt for years to come. His range and versatility helped him craft characters you couldn’t help but root for, even when they were the bad guy. He was an irreplaceable gem of an actor, bringing a Shakespearean authority to his roles and a smile to the face of every fan. We wish his family the best in these trying times.