Not many days after David Bowie's passing rocked the world, British actor Alan Rickman dies at 69 after battling with cancer. Tributes flowed for the screen giant, who will always be popularly recalled as Professor Severus Snape in "Harry Potter," Hans Gruber in "Die Hard" and Sheriff George of Nottingham in "Robinhood Prince of Thieves."
According to BBC, J.K. Rowling posted her homage on Twitter: "There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death," the author wrote. "My thoughts are with Rima (Rickman's wife) and the rest of Alan's family. We have all lost a great talent. They have lost part of their hearts."
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
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
Good friend and "Love Actually" co-star Emma Thompson's words brought tears to many. "Alan was my friend and so this is hard to write because I have just kissed him goodbye," the actress said. "He was, above all things, a rare and unique human being and we shall not see his like again."
No truer words were spoken for the BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Emmy awardee whom fellow British actor Stephen Fry described to have "wicked charm and stunning screen and stage presence."
Mirror reports that in April 2015, Rickman and Rima Horton got married in secret after being together for 50 years. The pair fell in love in Chelsea College of Art and Design. Rickman was just 19 and Horton was 18.
Rickman was born in west London. His love for the performing arts had always been integral to him. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Rickman made his beginnings working with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Rickman had a very unique way of owning the screen. In a scene, he loomed, grew and became larger than life. He embedded his presence in the audience's consciousness. He was, understandably, deeply loved by the younger audiences because of his work as the duplicitous-turned-hero Professor Snape.
According to Independent, when asked to pen a letter to advice his 16-year old self in a book called "Dear Me," Rickman ever so wisely said: "Dear Me, if in future years, anyone asks you to give advice to your sixteen year old self... don't." The actor simply explained his advice in this way, "Make your own unique messes, and then work your own way out of them."
What's your favourite Alan Rickman role? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
