On January 14th, 2016, the late and great Alan Rickman passed away at the age of 69, in a London hospital, surrounded by close family and friends. At the age of 69, Rickman had truly left his mark in the film industry with iconic roles and a remarkable talent that will never be forgotten.
His impending death began in August of 2015, when Rickman had suffered a minor stroke. This led to the discovery of pancreatic cancer; yet, Alan made the bold choice to keep his diagnosis very personal, sharing it with a select few. So when Rickman’s life had come to an end, not only was the world in shock, but some of Alan’s fellow actors publicly expressed shock and surprise as well.
Rickman’s Harry Potter co-star Ralph Fiennes (better known as Voldemort) shared on social media that he “cannot believe he is gone.” Dozens of colleagues who shared the screen with Rickman had nothing but kind words and broken hearts for the death of their beloved friend and cast-mate.
Rickman, born and raised in London, England, was an ingenious actor both on and off the screen. His early career included training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and he performed as an active member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. From there on, he performed a countless number of renowned roles, from Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility, Harry in Love Actually, Hans Gruber in Die Hard, and perhaps most well-known in the Pascack Hills community, the only and one Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series. He has numerous nominations and wins for a variety of awards on both his screen and stage performance, and his recognition will go untouched for the years to come.
Rickman’s final performance will be heard on May 27th of 2016, with the release of Alice Through the Looking Glass. He voiced the role of Absolem, and that will be the last the world shall hear of Rickman.
Gabriella Mongelli, an avid Harry Potter fan who has read the series over three times and owns every film on DVD, as well as a British culture fan, was more than upset by the death of her treasured Severus Snape.
“I’ve grown up watching Alan Rickman,” she says. “So many of his films have become integral parts of my childhood and it’s hard to believe there will be no more. But it’s important to remember the work he’s done, the way it’s shaped us, and how we will always be able to keep it with us.”
Rest in peace, Rickman.
