Alan Rickman as Professor Snape

Legendary British Actor Alan Rickman Dies at 69

2016 has not been kind to nerd icons so far. As per a special report from The Guardian, celebrated actor of the stage and screen Alan Rickman has passed away at the age of 69 in London. His death was confirmed by his family early this morning, who said that he was surrounded by family and friends at the end of a battle with cancer.

Alan Rickman was well known throughout world for many roles including Severus Snape in Harry Potter, Hans Gruber in Die Hard, Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Col Brandon in Sense and Sensibility, The Metatron in Dogma, Dr. Lazarus in Galaxy Quest and many, many more.

In the realm of geekdom, his passing is particularly felt by Harry Potter fans as Severus Snape was undoubtedly his most famous, later role. J.K. Rowling, author of the books upon which the films were based, famously had a special relationship with Rickman to make sure he could convey all the depth of his tragic, flawed and secretive character. She has posted on twitter; “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.”

Daniel Radcliffe also has paid tribute to the late costar in which he says that Rickman was “one of the greatest actors I will ever work with” as well as “one of the loyalest and most supportive people I’ve ever met in the film industry”.

There has been a tremendous outpouring of grief and praise from all over the internet for Alan Rickman’s talent, warmth, wit and conscientiousness, perhaps best encapsulated in a quote of his below. “Actors are agents of change,” he said. “A film, a piece of theatre, a piece of music, or a book can make a difference. It can change the world.”

RIP, good sir.

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