On Thursday, Jan. 14, the world was saddened to learn of Alan Rickman's passing. I was saddened to hear of Alan Rickman's passing. I had woken up that morning (after pressing snooze four times) and checked Twitter, and as I scrolled, I kept seeing the posts: "RIP, Alan," wands were raised, and Hans gifs were posted. And I thought to myself: no.

Ever since I was a young girl, I had always loved Severus Snape. My mom and family would continue to question why, poke fun at the fact that I liked the "bad guy," and wonder why I cried harder when he was murdered than when Dobby died. Snape had, by far, been one of my favorite characters in "Harry Potter." But, as I watched the "Die Hard" series, "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," "Love Actually," and "Sense and Sensibility," I began to realize it wasn't just Snape I was rooting for, it was Rickman.

When talking with my mom about his passing, she had to remind me that I did not know him personally (though I would have loved to) and I cannot even begin to imagine the loss his family is experiencing at this time. I can, however, say people like Robin Williams, David Bowie, and Alan Rickman impacted many lives. They were role models for many, many people, both on and off screen. It is because of their phenomenal talent and generosity that their passing becomes a public grief. Like I said, I didn't know Rickman; but he was an amazing actor, and from peers' and fellow stars' stories, a marvelous man. The world is a better place because of people like Alan Rickman. And it is because of that fact that it is difficult to mourn his passing, even as "just a fan."

With this in mind, I compiled a list as to why it will be difficult to say goodbye to Alan Rickman as an actor.

1. His cheeky smile.

I mean, he's hiding something for sure, but he seems so sincere. What a little trickster.

2. His love for the "Harry Potter" series, J.K. Rowling, and his character, Severus Snape.

He bonded with the cast, was dear friends with his costars and crew, and loved the fan base immensely.

3. His legitimately amazing acting skills.

He played roles that made me hate him, love to hate him, hate to love him, laugh, and cry. No matter what character he portrayed, Rickman always made me feel something, and that is a talent only a handful of actors possess.

4. His ability to portray things on screen that I (and many others) can connect with on an emotional level.

Like, yes, I as well want to smack people upside the head with books and flip desks, Alan. Thank you for understanding.

5. His class.

Let's be honest, people, Alan was one classy British gentleman. He was not in the tabloids for taboo excursions, inappropriate endeavors, or other "celebrity gossip." He tended to keep his personal life... well, personal. And for that, we adored him.

6. His voice.

It is often difficult, in Hollywood, to differentiate one actor from another; I mean, there are hundreds of them. But there is one thing that Rickman will always be known and remembered for: his booming, bass voice.

7. Snape.

He was good, he was bad, he was a bad guy pretending to be good, he was a good guy pretending to be bad. Whatever your views on Snape, you have to admit he was a character we loved to hate and hated to love. Rickman brought Snape to life with grace and elegance in a way that made me love the "villian."

8. His sass.

I'm not sure there is another actor in any movie or TV series about which I have found myself thinking, "the sass level is high" as much as Alan Rickman made me think it.

9. His age.

Few people can come to Hollywood at the age of 41 and make a successful career. Rickman did just that. He showed us that age is just a number and that it is possible to follow your dreams and be successful later in life as long as you are passionate and hard-working.

10. His .gifs.

I cannot tell you how many .gifs have been made in this man's honor. The sass, the hair, the cheeky smile... he has it all. His facial expressions and sassy hair tosses will live on the internet in memes for years to come.

11. He could play any character.

He was a lover, a hater, a fighter, a mean Professor, and an attractive man. He was consistently changing his appearance and portrayal for the screen (though he will always be known as the infamous villain of sorts). And there's nothing he should be sorry about for that.

12. His fight.

Few people knew that Rickman was sick with cancer. He battled silently, not proclaiming to the world, and died surrounded by friends and family. He was a fighter who I know is resting peacefully in a better place.

It's always saddening when a public figure who has impacted many people dies, but it is especially difficult to lose such an amazing talent and generous man. Wands up for you, Rickman. Gone, but most certainly not forgotten.