Always in our hearts. Always. Alan Rickman died at the age of 69 on Thursday, January 14. The British actor was privately battling cancer, according to The Guardian.
Rickman was best known for playing Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter movie franchise and Hans Gruber in Die Hard. His other notable credits included Sense and Sensibility, Galaxy Quest and the 2003 favorite Love Actually. He last voiced the Blue Caterpillar in Tim Burton’s adventure fantasy Alice Through the Looking Glass, which hits theaters this year.
Rickman’s Harry Potter costars, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, also posted about his death. The actors played Hermione Granger and Harry Potter opposite Rickman in all seven movies. “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,” Watson wrote via Facebook. “I’ll really miss our conversations. RIP Alan. We love you.”
Radcliffe, for his part, wrote a lengthy post on his Google+ page. “As an actor he was one of the first of the adults on Potter to treat me like a peer rather than a child,” he wrote. “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.”
J.K. Rowling, who penned the best-selling books, wrote: “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.”
Emma Thompson paid tribute, too. The actress starred in several movies with Rickman, including Harry Potter, Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually. “Alan was my friend and so this is hard to write because I have just kissed him goodbye,” she wrote, via Newsweek. “What I remember most in this moment of painful leave-taking is his humor, intelligence, wisdom and kindness. His capacity to fell you with a look or lift you with a word.”
“He was the finest of actors and directors. I couldn’t wait to see what he was going to do with his face next,” she continued. “I consider myself hugely privileged to have worked with him so many times and to have been directed by him.”
Read more reactions below:
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.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 14, 2016
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
Just had awful news of Alan Rickmans death. Utterly devastated. Nothing more to say at this time.
— Chris Rankin (@chrisrankin) 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
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
Goodbye Alan Rickman. You were genius in Harry Potter.
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) January 14, 2016
Our hearts are broken. Thank you for sharing your talent with us #AlanRickman We will miss you #Always
— Justin Guarini (@JustinGuarini) January 14, 2016
Rest In Peace Alan Rickman. Such sad news. A huge loss.
— Will Poulter (@PoulterWill) January 14, 2016
The spectacular Alan Rickman passed away… One of my favorite actors of all time. Thank you for your gifts. RIP
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) January 14, 2016
Damn, just damn 🙁 R.I.P Alan Rickman
— Jay Pharoah (@JayPharoah) January 14, 2016
Such a lovely, kind, generous, funny and brilliant man. Thank you Alan Rickman for that and for so many flawless performances
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) January 14, 2016
So terribly sad to hear of the passing of Alan Rickman. Honoured to have shared the screen with him. #Marvin #Snape He’ll be sorely missed.
— Warwick Davis (@WarwickADavis) January 14, 2016
Completely lost for words. #AlanRickman #legend #RIP
— Sam Claflin (@samclaflin) January 14, 2016
Woke up in Palo Alto w/ news of Alan Rickman’s death .Loved him. First David Bowie and now Alan Rickman. Very sad week. RIP.
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) January 14, 2016
Devastated to hear about the passing of Alan Rickman. I had the pleasure of working with him on my first movie. A true legend and gentleman.
— Jamie Campbell Bower (@Jamiebower) January 14, 2016
There are few things I enjoyed more than watching Alan Rickman sigh in a movie. RIP
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) January 14, 2016
we lost a genius
today,
Alan Rickman.
This gentleman
redefined the
big screen villain,
forever.
RIP
©#HansGruber
https://t.co/JCGDAvoywK— Charlie Sheen (@charliesheen) January 14, 2016
So sad to hear that we’ve lost Alan Rickman. What a brilliantly talented man. Countless amazing performances. What a sad week.
— Tom Fletcher (@TomFletcher) 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
Very sad to hear the news of Alan Rickman Passing. Brilliant actor. True inspiration. 69 is too young. #RIP
— Luke Evans (@TheRealLukevans) January 14, 2016
Alan Rickman. Incredible actor and director. Above all, the most generous, funny, loving friend to us. @Deborra_lee and I will miss you so .
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) January 14, 2016
