Much to our dismay, Alan Rickman, the actor who played the complicated and intriguing Professor Snape in the Harry Potter saga, died on Jan. 14 at the age of 69 due to cancer. Rickman was a talented actor and, according to his friends and family, a wonderful person as well.
Rickman was born in West London in 1946, and since his college years, has acted in numerous performances and films. He won a Golden Globe in 1997 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV for his role in “Rasputin,” a Primetime Emmy in 1996 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for his role in “Rasputin,” an ALFS Award for British Actor of the Year in 1992 and many more.
This beloved actor may be gone, but he most certainly will never be forgotten. For many of us, Rickman is as much of an icon as Harry Potter himself, for many of us spent our childhoods watching Professor Snape and Harry Potter battle for what we would later understand to be the greatest love of all time. For those who aren’t the biggest Potter fans, it is likely you’ve seen Rickman play Harry in “Love Actually,” Alexander Dane in “Galaxy Quest,” Colonel Brandon in “Sense and Sensibility” or perhaps Grigori Rasputin in “Rasputin.”
No matter what play or movie you may have seen him in, there is no arguing that Alan Rickman was one of the most talented and loved actors of all time. Rickman’s death is a shock to many and a heavy loss for all. Even though he is gone, he will never be forgotten, and the best way to commemorate his many accomplishments is to watch him in his prime in his many masterpieces. After all this time, we will always remember.
“Romeo & Juliet” (1978)
Most people have at least heard of Shakespeare’s tragic play. The story of two teenagers falling in love, only to have their families attempt to keep them apart, has a tragic ending in perhaps one of the most famous relationships of all time. This was Rickman’s first role, and he played the role of Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin and the leader of the younger Capulets.
“Die Hard” (1988)
Bruce Willis might be the front-man of the movie, but Rickman is definitely the star of the film. Rickman plays the villain Hans Gruber, a German terrorist who leads a team of terrorists to take over a building in Los Angeles. Gruber and his team of terrorists take hostages, including an NYPD officer who manages to escape their sight and is the only chance the city has at defeating the enemy.
“Truly Madly Deeply” (1990)
Everyone loves a good love story, especially when it seems to be a British version of the famous Patrick Swayze movie “Ghost.” Rickman plays Jamie, the ghost of a woman’s boyfriend who haunts her while she tries move on after his death.
“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (1991)
“Robin Hood” is a story as old as time. Rickman reclaimed his role as the villain to play Sheriff George of Nottingham, the tyrant of the area. Robin Hood, played by Kevin Costner, fights back against the Sheriff’s tyranny as a rebel, with the help of his companion Little John.
“Rasputin” (1996)
Most people know the story of Russia’s Anastasia, but not everybody is familiar with the alleged prophet and healer who befriended Anastasia’s family, particularly her father, Tsar Nicholas. Rickman portrays Grigori Rasputin, the mystic who predicted a major downfall in Russia and became forever known as the “mad monk.”
“Galaxy Quest” (1999)
Straying from his usual role as the bad guy of the film, Rickman plays in this comedy as Alexander Dane, an alum of a TV show who has to help an alien race on a mission. Along with co-stars Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver, the trio is tasked with helping the aliens after they see the actors’ TV show, which focuses on a space crew going on various spaces adventures.
The Harry Potter saga (2002-2011)
Rickman takes on the wizarding world as Professor Snape, the dubious character who teaches Harry Potter lessons of potions, dark arts, life and love. Snape proves to be more of a complex character than the audience would think upon watching the first movie, and for those who followed the saga or read the books, they understand just how dynamic he was.
“Love Actually” (2003)
Popular during the Christmas season, this film portrays the lives of eight couples in London. Rickman plays Harry, a husband who had an affair with his secretary and is attempting to fix his marriage. The film also features actors Colin Firth, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson, and has become a holiday classic.
