Just days after discovering that legendary musician and film star David Bowie had passed away aged 69, we today mourn the death of British actor and iconic film villain Alan Rickman, who sadly passed away after losing his battle with cancer.
Rickman, while being famous for portraying the bad guy in some of his most famous roles, was one of Britain’s best-loved and most admired actors.
He reached the peak of his fame when jumping into the role of Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films, a character well-known in most corners of the world – but that wasn’t his first big-screen endeavour.
Back in 1988, a 41-year-old Alan was cast in his first baddie role as Hans Gruber alongside Bruce Willis in classic action film Die Hard – a part he was offered two days after arriving for casting.
Following the release, his role as Gruber opened up doors, allowing him to play another evil bastard in the 1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. His portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham is arguably the reason for the film’s success.
But was the man one dimensional? Not at all. It’s argued that his role as Jamie in the film Truly, Madly, Deeply is his best performance to date – and was a massive turn from co-starring villain to leading role in a romantic.
Rickman was a classic, silky British actor with the ability to fulfil any role thrown at him, and he proved this by doing just that during a glittering career that lasted for almost 40 years.
And as news filters through the socialsphere of his passing, celebrities are leaving their tributes on Twitter…
It hasn’t been the greatest start for 2016, but rather than mourn who we’ve lost, let’s celebrate who they were. RIP Alan Rickman.
