By: Alexia Mitchell
As of January 14th this year, the acting-world has suffered a great loss: Alan Rickman has unfortunately lost his secret battle against pancreatic cancer at 69 years old. Many have felt devastated and have thought, “first Bowie and now Alan Rickman, why?” Alan Rickman was a well-respected actor, known for his amazing roles. Often, he played a villain or despicable character; however, he was actually a charming and supportive man.
His most popular role as Professor Severus Snape in the eight Harry Potter movies leaves many to despise Rickman as a person – however, this is biased and unnecessary. Just because an actor played a hated character, doesn’t mean the actor should be hated. Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) said after hearing of the actor’s death,
“Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with. He is also, one of the loyalest and most supportive people I’ve ever met in the film industry. He was so encouraging of me both on set and in the years post-Potter. I’m pretty sure he came and saw everything I ever did on stage both in London and New York. He didn’t have to do that. I know other people who’ve been friends with him for much much longer than I have and they all say “if you call Alan, it doesn’t matter where in the world he is or how busy he is with what he’s doing, he’ll get back to you within a day”.
People create perceptions of actors based on the parts they played so it might surprise some people to learn that contrary to some of the sterner(or downright scary) characters he played, Alan was extremely kind, generous, self-deprecating and funny. And certain things obviously became even funnier when delivered in his unmistakable double-bass.
As an actor he was one of the first of the adults on Potter to treat me like a peer rather than a child. 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.”
Alan Rickman supported eleven different charities – in fact, the last thing he ever recorded before his passing, was a voiceover video for a charity. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkiMz-e2ZcE)
Most people belonging to our age group remember Alan Rickman most as his magnificent role of Professor Severus Snape, in the Harry Potter (2001-2011) movies, whereas others might remember him for his acting as Colonel Brandon, in Sense and Sensibility (1995). Some might remember his role as Alexander Dane, in Galaxy Quest (1999). Older fans may have loved Rickman as the villainous Hans Gruber, in Die Hard (1988), or as Sheriff George of Nottingham, in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). Lovers of Tim Burton will recognize him as Judge Turpin, in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), or as Absolem the Caterpillar, in Alice in Wonderland (2010) and the upcoming Through the Looking Glass (2016). However, these are only his most popular movie character roles. Rickman has been in many more movies and roughly 66 film-related acting jobs.
Personally, Alan Rickman was one of my favorite actors – and will probably be until the day my heart stops – who executed all of his characters with such finesse that Iget light feelings in my heart when watching him. Also, he delivered perhaps, the best insult to ever be said as Sheriff George of Nottingham to Robin Hood (above).
And remember my fellow Alan Rickman fans:
Don’t cry because you knew him, smile because he helped you know yourself.
“If only life could be a little more tender
and art a little more robust.” – Alan Rickman