Popular theater and film actor Alan Rickman has died of cancer in London. Rickman was known for his landmark roles as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter movies and as Bruce Willis' adversary in "Die Hard."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Cowie
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Alan Rickman died at his home in London, his agent said on Thursday. He was 69 years old and was reported to be suffering from cancer, British media said.
Rickman is remembered for his portrayal of villainous characters in several movies, including Bruce Willis' adversary in "Die Hard" and the sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," for which he won a British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) in 1991. Rickman also won a Golden Globe for best actor in a television series for the title role in "Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny."
His most recent portrayal of Professor Severus Snape from the Harry Potter movie series earned him thousands of fans across the world.
As Professor Severus Snape in Harry PotterImage: picture-alliance/dpa
Although popular for his negative roles, Rickman played a wide variety of characters. He appeared as the romantic Colonel Brandon in "Sense and Sensibility" with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet and delighted audiences with his comic abilities in "Dogma" and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." He was also known for his acting in "Truly, Madly, Deeply" and the romantic comedy, "Love, Actually."
Rickman was also a renowned stage actor and appeared in several plays, including "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" and Noel Coward's "Private Lives."
The veteran actor was born in February 1946 in Hammersmith, London. He began his acting career at the age of 26, when he received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), also in London, according to the online movie database Imdb.
Alan Rickman: From Shakespeare to Harry Potter
British actor and director Alan Rickman has died at home in London, aged 69. Most recently known for as Severus Snape in the eight Harry Potter films, Rickman often shone as the villain.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Cowie
Alan Rickman as Anthony
Though he recently achieved fame as Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series, British actor Alan Rickman began as a stage actor and got his big break in 1985 with "Les Liaisons Dangereuses." He often performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and is pictured here with Helen Mirren in 1998 in "Anthony and Cleopatra." Rickman passed away on Thursday, January 14, after battling cancer.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/J. Stillwell
From stage to screen
The switch to film wasn't a bad move for Rickman, who received dozens of awards over his career. For his performance in "Rasputin" in 1996, he picked up (his only) Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Image: Getty Images
A good villain
Finding a niche in playing villains, Rickman excelled at it. The American Film Institute ranked him at 46 on their list of top villains for playing Hans Gruber in the Die Hard films, which also featured Bruce Willis. Pictured is a scene from the first "Die Hard" in 1988.
Image: picture alliance/Mary Evans Picture Library/20th Century Fox/R. Grant
Sheriff of Nottingham
Rickman also brought out his "bad" side as the Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" (1991), starring Kevin Costner.
Image: picture alliance/Mary Evans Picture Library/Warner Bros/Ronald Grant Archive
Recognize the voice?
Rickman not only lent his face, but occasionally only his voice to film productions. In 2000, he spoke the part of Joe in "Help! I'm a Fish," and in 2002 he was King Philipp in "King of the Hill." Pictured is a scene from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" from 2005, in which Rickman was the voice of Marvin, the Paranoid Android.
Alan Rickman won over younger fans - or perhaps scared them off - by continuing his tradition of villains in Harry Potter. He embodied the malicious teacher, Professor Severus Snape, in all eight "Harry Potter" films, which were released between 2001 and 2011.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Many-faceted actor
Rickman passed away on January 14 in London, where he was born in 1946. "Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends," a family statement said. He is survived by his long-time partner, Rima Horton.
