http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/14/10767042/alan-rickman-dies-age-69
Alan Rickman, the British stage and screen actor best known internationally for his roles in
Harry Potter and
Die Hard, has died in London at the age of 69. As reported by
BBC News, his family said in a statement that he had died "surrouned by friends and family."
Known for his aquiline features and languid, mesmerizing voice, Rickman begun his acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the late '70s and early '80s, before moving onto British TV shows and Broadway. In 1988 he starred in
Die Hard alongside Bruce Willis as the incomparable villain Hans Gruber, following this up with the role of Sheriff of Nottingham in
Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. Then, with the
Harry Potterfranchise, Rickman's talents were embraced by a whole new generation of fans. His performance as the
cruel and drawling, ever-hypnotic Severus Snape was without doubt one of the biggest draws of the films.
Despite his classical training, though, he was always ready to take on more idiosyncratic roles. He voiced a Renaissance fair monarch in one episode of cult cartoon
King of the Hill, and in the 2000 film
Galaxy Quest, he parodied himself as a Shakespearean actor who has
reluctantly found fame playing an alien in a hit sci-fi show. In all his roles, though, he was instantly recognizable by his voice, which researchers claimed in 2008 was an essential element in creating
the most pleasing male voice.
Although he never received an Oscar, Rickman won numerous awards including an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA. He was supported various charities, including the facial surgery charity Saving Faces and the International Performers' Aid Trust. "Actors are agents of change," Rickman is quoted as by
The Guardian. "A film, a piece of theatre, a piece of music, or a book can make a difference. It can change the world."