Alan Rickman (1946-2016)

Alan Rickman, the award winning actor perhaps best known for his role of Professor Severus Snape in all eight of the Harry Potter films, has passed away from cancer at the age of 69 in London.

Rickman first exploded into the public consciousness in 1988’s Die Hard with his powerhouse performance as the terrorist Hans Gruber. Two years later, he won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award for “Best Supporting Actor” in recognition of his memorable role as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. He also won a Golden Globe and the Emmy for his work in 1996’s TV movie Rasputin.

For Harry Potter fans however, Rickman will always be the dark-haired, cold and sarcastic Professor Snape; a role he made his own over the course of eight films. With his instantly recognizable voice and an uncanny ability to convey so much emotion with nothing more than a leer or a smirk, Rickman would always seem to dominate his scenes with a subtle brilliance. Simply put, you had to watch him.

Rickman is survived by his companion of 50 years Rima Horton, they were officially married just last year. They had no children.