The news of Alan Rickman's sudden death after losing a battle to pancreatic cancer shocked the world. At the age of 69 years old, he accomplished many things — such as being one of the most recognizable British actors in the acting world. According to BBC News, "[Alan] was surrounded by family and friends" the day he died.
His colleagues and friends expressed their grief on Twitter. For instance, J. K. Rowling tweeted "There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death. He was a magnificent actor & a wonderful man."
Emma Thompson who co-starred with Alan Rickman in "Sense and Sensibility" (1995) and "Love Actually" (2003) wrote an emotional tribute on the account of his death stating that "Alan was my friend and so this is hard to write because I have just kissed him goodbye." 
I first became aware of him when I watched the "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001). Arguably, we all knew him as the conflicted yet beloved Professor Severus Snape who, at the end, turned out to be Harry's savior.
Throughout his career, Alan Rickman has played in multiple films from "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" (1991) as the villain, Sheriff of Nottingham, to "Sense and Sensibility" (1995) as Colonel Brandon, Marianne's lover.
You might have also known Alan as Hans Gruber in his first film appearance in "Die Hard" (1988).
Given his long career, Alan has won multiple awards ranging from a Primetime Emmy Award to a Golden Globe for his captivating role as Grigori Rasputin in "Rasputin" (1996). Alan received numerous nominations like Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow: Part 2" (2011) and "Something the Lord Made" (2004).
Not only was he an actor, but he also lent his voice to the villain Joe in "Help! I'm a Fish" (2000) and to the robot Marvin in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (2005). Before his death, he voiced for Absolem the Caterpillar in "Alice Through the Looking Glass" that will premiere sometime in 2016. His final film, "Eye in the Sky," will be release in March 2016.
He was a patron to Saving Faces, a charity dedicated in giving victims of facial deformity from injuries and diseases a second chance in life.
Alan Rickman left an everlasting impression and it is extremely sad to see him go.
