There's something incredibly heartbreaking about a hero's death. And while he may not have been a war hero or a courageous firefighter, Alan Rickman was a certainly an unbelievably talented actor who gave depth and complexity to his various roles. He was known for his many brilliant performances on both stage and screen, but his most famous parts include Hans Gruber in "Die Hard," the Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," and (of course) Professor Severus Snape in the "Harry Potter" film series. Because of that last role alone, Rickman was a memorable part of many people's childhoods, including my own. It would be hard to forget his wonderful portrayal of Snape's cynicism and sharpness while just delicately hinting at a sense of guilt and a keen desire to protect Harry. All in all, it was beautifully done. It's safe to say that he and his characters (not just Snape) will be remembered for ages to come.
On Jan. 14, 2016, Rickman died at age 69 due to pancreatic cancer. He first became aware of his terminal illness when he suffered a minor stroke back in August 2015. He only shared his diagnosis with his closest friends, not bothering to publicly disclose this information. When he finally did pass away, he was in a London hospital, surrounded by his friends and family.
Upon hearing of his death, fans either went into an empty void of sorrow (as I did) and stared through pages of Rickman's pictures as if to hold onto his memory, or they came together to show their appreciation for such an iconic actor and man, like the fans who created a memorial at London's Kings Cross railway station right under the "Platform 9 3/4" sign. Understandably, these were not the only two reactions to the news, but they may possibly be the most extreme responses.
Then, there were the responses of his former costars. Most of them were taken by surprise by the loss of their friend, but they all had beautiful things to say about Rickman and his acting. J.K. Rowling, the author of the "Harry Potter" book series, tweeted that Rickman was a "magnificent actor & a wonderful man." Emma Thompson praised his "ineffable and cynical wit, the clarity with which he saw most things." Sir Ian McKellen wrote how inside Rickman there was a "super-active spirit, questing and achieving, a super-hero, unassuming but deadly effective."
Rickman made an impact in the modern world. He gave grace and depth to his characters. He changed the lives of his fans and his costars. There is no denying that such a man will be missed. Perhaps Emma Thompson told it best when she said, "He was, above all things, a rare and unique human being, and we shall not see his like again."
