Alan Rickman: A legend fades away.

Carlotta, Staff Writer|February 1, 2016

Photo via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9w1rLhn1uU under the Creative Commons Licence

On the 14th January 2016, the great actor and film director Alan Rickman died at age 69 from cancer of the pancreas, only six months after being diagnosed.

Daniel Radcliffe's Tribute shared on Google Plus

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.

When I heard about his death, I was quite shocked. I grew up with Harry Potter and I always loved his portrayal of Snape. And suddenly, Alan Rickman is gone. I totally did not expect it. I think he was great playing the role of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter saga, but sometimes people ignore his amazing interpretations in other films.

My favourite is Judge Turpin from Sweeney Todd: The demon barber of Fleet Street, a 2007 musical by Tim Burton. I like that he is the flawless “villain”. He has the perfect bad guy face and he fully interprets his character, in a magnificent, spectacular way. I deeply admire this actor, I always did.

This is all I have to say.

You’ll be missed, Alan. Always

Rest in peace.