Actor Alan Rickman, known for films including Harry Potter, Die Hard, Truly Madly Deeply, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Galaxy Quest, and Sweeney Todd, has died at the age of 69. A family statement said: “The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends.”
Best known for his villainous roles, such as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films and Hans Gruber in Die Hard, Rickman also earned respect in romantic films, such as Truly Madly Deeply and Sense and Sensibility, both of which earned him Bafta nominations. The actor won a Bafta Award for playing the Sheriff of Nottingham in 1991’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Rickman also earned a Golden Globe for best actor in a miniseries or television film for the title role in Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny.
Harry Potter actor James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley, said on Twitter he was “shocked and sad” to hear the news. He wrote: “One of the nicest actors I’ve ever met. Thoughts and prayers with his family at this time.”
His twin brother Oliver Phelps, who played George Weasley, added: “Terribly sad news about the passing of Alan Rickman. A funny and engaging person who put a shy young actor at ease when I was on HP.”
TV star and Bafta ceremony host Stephen Fry wrote: “What desperately sad news about Alan Rickman. A man of such talent, wicked charm and stunning screen and stage presence. He’ll be sorely missed.”