Beloved thespian and owner of some of the most velvety vocal chords known to man, Alan Rickman, passed away late last night from cancer, age 69.
Alan touched the lives of millions through his work as Hans Gruber in Die Hard, Jamie in Truly Madly Deeply, Sheriff Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and, of course, as Severus Snape, Potions Master in Harry Potter.
Today, some of those lucky enough to work with the actor are paying tribute to the man.
Daniel Radcliffe, who played his most hated and secretly loved student:
“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.”
Emma Thompson, whose career intersected with Alan’s numerous times, including playing opposite him in Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually, and joining him in Harry Potter as Professor Trelawney. (Published by Dave Itzkoff.)
“Alan was my friend and so this is hard to write because I have just kissed him goodbye.
“What I remember most in this moment of painful leave-taking is his humour, intelligence, wisdom, and kindness. His capacity to fell you with a look or lift you with a word.
“That intransigence which made him the great artist that he was — his inedible and cynical wit, the clarity with which he saw most things, including me, and the fact that he never spared me the view. I learned a lot from him.
“He was the finest of actors and directors. I couldn’t wait to see what he was going to do with his face next. I consider myself hugely privileged to have worked with him so many times and to have been directed by him.
“He was the ultimate ally. In like, art and politics. I trusted him absolutely.
“He was, above all things, a rare and unique human being and we shall not see his like again.”
J.K. Rowling, who chose him to play the role of Snape, and shared with him secrets as to his character to convince him that Snape was more than just a one-dimensional bully:
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
Various Harry Potter actors, including Emma Watson (Hermione), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley), and Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom):
#AlanRickman pic.twitter.com/e7Pyubd8qn
— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) January 14, 2016
Rupert Grint: “I am devastated to hear about the passing of Alan Rickman, I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to have had the opportunity to work with him on numerous occasions – Even though he has gone – I will always hear his voice. My thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.”
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.??
— Evanna Lynch (@Evy_Lynch) January 14, 2016
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.
— Evanna Lynch (@Evy_Lynch) 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
And finally, this one from Ian McKellen, who isn’t from Harry Potter but is another of the British acting greats and has words worth reading:
ALAN RICKMAN (1946-2016) There is so much that is matchless to remember about Alan Rickman. His career was at the…
Posted by Ian McKellen on Thursday, 14 January 2016
We’ll leave you with this clip of Rickman reading Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130, so that you can marvel in his voice, his passion, and his richness he brought to any role – even reading a sonnet – once more.
Vale Alan Rickman, 1946–2016.
Photo: Ian Gavan / David M. Benett / Getty.
