British actor Alan Rickman, known for his unforgettable role as Professor Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” franchise, has died at age 69.
Rickman, who also starred in several other blockbuster hits such as “Die Hard” and “Love Actually,” was suffering from cancer according to a statement made by his family.
According to the family statement, “The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at age 69. He was surrounded by family and friends.”
J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, expressed her condolences through Twitter.
“There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am of Alan Rickman’s death,” Rowling said. “My thoughts are with Rima and the rest of Alan’s family. We have all lost a great talent. They have lost part of their hearts.”
Daniel Radcliffe, who starred alongside Rickman in the Harry Potter films as the title character, shared his condolences through Facebook.
“As an actor he was one of the first of the adults on Potter to treat me like a peer rather than a child,” Radcliffe said. “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.”
Rickman was born on Feb. 21, 1946 in London, began his career in 1978 and got his big break in 1985 for starring in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, a role that resulted in a Tony Award. In 1995, Rickman was awarded a Golden Globe, an Emmy and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his portrayal of Rasputin in “Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny.”
Rickman leaves behind Rima Horton, his partner of over 50 years and wife of 4.