Honoring the Late Alan Rickman
Jan 14, 2016
News, Rickman
With an extremely heavy heart, we are saddened to report the news that the beloved actor, Alan Rickman passed away this morning, at age 69. His family broke the news, saying that he was suffering from cancer. This news comes as a great shock to those who knew and loved him as an actor.
Having never shared the news of his diagnosis or suffering before, we can only presume that Alan, acting as the “bravest man [we] ever knew” was toughing it out and going along with life as normally as possible.
Alan was known in the Harry Potter family as Severus Snape, but was a hugely talented actor on both the stage and the big screen, and as director and screenwriter. He was known as one of Hollywoods best villains from his roles in Die Hard, Harry Potter, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (for which he won a BAFTA for his role as Sheriff of Nottingham).
However, we also know Alan to have a more loving, and humorous side. Just a few months ago he was cracking jokes on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Noting his humor and gentle personality, the BBC reports:
But he showed his gentler side in films like 1990’s Truly Madly Deeply, 1995’s Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually in 2003.
He earned Bafta nominations for his roles in Truly Madly Deeply, in which he played Juliet Stevenson’s ghost lover, and for playing Colonel Brandon alongside Kate Winslet in Sense and Sensibility.
He got another Bafta nomination for portraying the calculating Eamon de Valera in 1996’s Michael Collins.
The following year, he won a Golden Globe for best actor in a miniseries or television film for the title role in Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny.
His family released a statement, saying, “The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends.” According to the BBC, the Harry Potter “family” has started to reach out and share their condolences:
Harry Potter actor James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley, said on Twitter he was “shocked and sad” to hear the news. He wrote: “One of the nicest actors I’ve ever met. Thoughts and prayers with his family at this time.”
TV star and Bafta ceremony host Stephen Fry wrote: “What desperately sad news about Alan Rickman. A man of such talent, wicked charm and stunning screen and stage presence. He’ll be sorely missed.”
Many of the Harry Potter “family” have taken to various social media to express their condolences, their goodbyes, and their heart break. We will share as many of these posts as possible, now and as more surface throughout the day.
Emma Thompson (Professor Trewlawney) wrote a long and beautiful farewell to her dear friend and fellow costar in many films (Harry Potter, Love Actually, Sense and Sensibility), which can be read here.
Daniel Radcliffe, known for his absence from almost all social media, broke his silence today to share a moving post honoring Alan Rickman on his Google+ account. His post may be read here.
J.K. Rowling took to twitter to express her shock and her condolences to Alan Rickman’s family, saying,
“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.”
“My thoughts are with Rima and the rest of Alan’s family. We have all lost a great talent. They have lost part of their hearts.”
Emma Watson has been tweeting and retweeting memes and photos of Alan, as well as her costars condolences, and directing people to where they can find links to articles written about him. On her own Facebook page, Emma shared,
“I’m very sad to hear about Alan today. I feel so lucky to have worked and spent time with such a special man and actor. I’ll really miss our conversations. RIP Alan. We love you”
Matt Lewis was at the “Harry Potter” studios (Leavesden) when he heard the sad news, and shared this caption with a photo on Instagram:
“I was at Leavesden Studios today when I heard the news. As I walked through the canteen I thought of Alan queuing up for his lunch with us mere mortals. I recalled the trailer in which he offered me some of the greatest advice I ever received about this mad profession we shared. Being back in those corridors made me remember a lot of things and I will treasure those memories all my life. He inspired my career more than he ever knew and I’ll miss him.”
Evanna Lynch tweeted:
“Am not prepared for a world without Alan Rickman. Such a beautiful soul. He was so kind & generous in the moments he wasn’t Snaping about.“
“I’ll also never forget how scary it was to accidentally bump into him as Snape. And how he made us love Snape so much!Rest in peace, Alan.”
Oliver Phelps echoed his brother, saying on twitter:
“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.”
Jason Isaacs shared his thoughts, tweeting,
“Heartbreaking news about lovely Alan. Nobody else could be as hilarious, tragic, terrifying & truthful all at the same time
#RIPAlanRickman“
Fellow actor Ian McKellen had many kind words and thoughts to share with a touching photo of him and Alan on his Facebook page, here.
Pottermore and the BBC both shared very thorough obituaries.
Alan Rickman will truly be missed. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to his family at this sad time. Please join us in honoring our beloved Severus Snape, by sharing your condolences and a favorite memory of the actor in the comments below.