Alan Rickman has died

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Probably best known for his role as Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series, the talented Alan Rickman died today (January 14, 2015) at the age of 69, after a battle with cancer.

He came to the attention of most people when he played the part of European terrorist Hans Gruber in Die Hard, starring with Bruce Willis. He had been in a number of films, but was an acclaimed stage actor in Great Britain and the United States as well.

His first film role came in 1978 when he played Tybalt in the BBC’s production of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Rickman got his start in adult life as a successful graphic artist, but after three years decided to pursue an acting career and auditioned for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and was accepted. After graduating from RADA he began his acting career.

Although Rickman became know for his sinister, villainous characters, like in Die Hard and as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, he was a far more versatile actor. He also appeared in Love Actually and was the voice of God in Dogma. He was the voice for characters in the films Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Alice in Wonderland. In 2013 Rickman played Ronald Reagan in The Butler.

Rickman was also a big philanthropist, know for helping the poor and suffering around the world.

As Harry Potter fans will recall, Professor Snape was the one that carried a torch, a broken heart, throughout the series. That is how Alan Rickman’s fans are feeling today.

Alan Rickman: February 21, 1946 — January 14, 2016. he is survived by his wife, Rima Horton.

Top photo by David Shankbone for Wikipedia