Alan Rickman dies at 69

[dorkzilla]

Source: The Guardian

Alan Rickman, one of the best-loved and most warmly admired British actors of the past 30 years, has died in London aged 69. His death was confirmed on Thursday by his family. Rickman had been suffering from cancer.

A star whose arch features and languid diction were recognisable across the generations, Rickman found a fresh legion of fans with his role as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films. But the actor had been a big-screen staple since first shooting to global acclaim in 1988, when he starred as Hans Gruber, Bruce Willis’s sardonic, dastardly adversary in Die Hard – a part he was offered two days after arriving in Los Angeles, aged 41.


Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jan/14/alan-rickman-giant-of-british-film-and-theatre-dies-at-69

---

I’ve loved him for so long...RIP Alan.

[Lithos]

1. Very sad

He was one of my favorite actors.

This seems like a bad week...

[NewJeffCT]

2. Two great Brits pass this week - both at 69 years old

First David Bowie, now Alan Rickman. May he rest in peace.

Hans Gruber was one of my all-time favorite movie villains.

[dorkzilla]

7. I first saw him in Truly Madly Deeply

But he’ll always be Colonel Brandon to me.

[Zoonart]

13. Me too

Saw him on stage in London as Valmont in Dangerous Liaisons. He was amazing.
He was one of those actors that could read the phone book and be thrilling.
What a sad, sad, week for the arts.

[dorkzilla]

21. Truly a sad week. This was more of a shock than Bowie

Industry rumors have circulated about Bowie’s health for quite some time (numerous heart attacks...not to mention a bad coke habit back in the day) but Rickman? So youthful and seemed so strong.

I’m jealous that you got to see him in Dangerous Liaisons. I understand he was exquisite in that role.

[howareyou]

81. Let the gods for mercy.

Let the gods for mercy.

[Matilda]

24. You were so lucky.

I always wished he'd been chosen for the film, because that's the only way we could have seen it in Australia. His performance is theatre legend.

Truly, Madly, Deeply was my introduction to his work - such a quirky film, and he was a delight.

What a sad week this has been.

[Zoonart]

33. He was a God

Just as Bowie was a rock-god, Alan Rickman was a theatre-god.
So electric in Liaisons and so sexy in Truly...and of course...BRANDON!
His voice could melt me.

[smirkymonkey]

141. My sentiment exactly. I thought they were both the best at what they did.

Both superstars. What a horrible week. Alan Rickman's voice made me melt, there was no sexier voice in the world. He was an incredible actor. I loved him as Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility. That was my favorite role of his. I'm sure there were better, but he melted my heart in that one.

[itcfish]

100. What About Dogma?

I loved his sarcasm in DOGMA

[bvf]

110. the Metatron!

First I knew of him.

[Matilda]

134. Who but Alan Rickman

could be the Voice of God, as if he were born for it?

[gregcrawford]

53. Another shining light extinguished...

... Rickman also did some fine "little" movies, like Bottle Shock, a very good movie about wine. Being an ardent oenophile, I watched it while enjoying a rich, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon.

Being in my 69th year, and a cancer survivor, seeing these guys my age dropping from the Big C is more than a little unnerving. I will hoist a glass this evening to honor David and Alan. Au revoire, mon amis...

[dorkzilla]

59. I wil have to look for that film

Alan Rickman and wine...what a great combination.

Continued good health to you, Greg.

[gregcrawford]

75. Thank you, 'Zilla.

[MuseRider]

107. My husband said the same this morning.

He turns 69 this October. He told me he felt like he was living on borrowed time. I looked at him and told him that really we all are from the day we are born. I just wanted you to know you are not alone being a little creeped out by this.

If my stomach cooperates tonight I will hoist a glass for DB and AR wishing them good journeys and for you for continued health and life! If not you will get water and good wishes, probably matters not.

[niyad]

138. thank you for mentioning one of my favourite movies.

hope you will be around lifting fine glasses of wine for a very long time to come.

[beac]

61. Truly Madly Deeply is a great movie.

Maybe Netflix will bring it back in honor of Rickman.

I've had "The Song of Lunch" in my Hulu queue forever. Guess tonight is the time to finally watch it and drink a toast to Rickman.

Very sad to lose another great one much too young.

[MissMillie]

130. not the first time I saw him

but seriously a favorite.

So talented.

RIP

[Dustlawyer]

48. He is on a beach somewhere collecting 20%!

[trillion]

124. Natalie Cole also died. She was an American. NatKingColes daughter who also sang.

[Xithras]

129. And only two weeks after Lemmy died. Also at 69. Also of cancer.

69 is apparently a tough age for famous Brits.

Ironically enough, this is the astrological symbol for Cancer. Not that I place any belief in this stuff, but the Internet meme machine has been going nuts with this today:

[rpannier]

3. Very sad when I saw this

He was a great actor

[Jackilope]

4. :-(

[AllyCat]

5. So sad. RIP Alan.

[T_i_B]

6. Who's going to play baddies in big hollywood films now?

RIP Snape.

[Lurks Often]

8. Damn, he was always fun to watch onscreen regardless of the role

[Angel Martin]

78. so sorry to read this announcement

re: great in any role

here is a small but brilliant cameo in a Tinker, Tailor... TV series sequel

[kooth]

9. RIP ...

He was hilarious in Galaxy Quest. He could do it all.

[dorkzilla]

11. Yes he could. Hans Gruber, Colonel Brandon, ghost cellist, Sheriff of Nottingham...

Professor Snape. Shakespeare...you name it. I absolutely fell in love with him. So sad.

[sarge43]

23. Don't forget Alexander Dane - "Five curtain calls!"

Last edited Thu Jan 14, 2016, 05:21 PM - Edit history (1)

He always brought something special to every role.

Peaceful passage, Mr Rickman and thank you.

[Coventina]

77. Colonel Brandon: that's when I fell in love with him.

But he was great in everything!!!

[Stellar]

111. me too! Sense and Sensibility one of my all time Jane Austen favorites

R.I.P.

[snoringvoter]

35. Oh yes, I loved his role in that.

[bullsnarfle]

44. "You...

you scene-stealing hack!"

Bwahahahahahaha, I loved that movie. By Grabthar's Hammer he was great in it.

[bullsnarfle]

63. Oops, almost forgot another role that he rocked...

"And cancel Christmas!"

Rickman STOLE that movie...

[Kalidurga]

127. one of my favorite movies

[niyad]

139. just watched galaxy quest last week!!

[DinahMoeHum]

10. He had that typical British air of perpetual exasperation. . .

. . .in his speech.

Damn. This news really sucks. I'll miss him big time.

[blackspade]

12. Fucking hell.

RIP Mr Rickman.

[Bluenorthwest]

14. By Grabthar's hammer, by the suns of Warvan, he shall be greatly missed.

What a very terrible week this is.

[ProfessorGAC]

18. First Movie I Thought of Too

Even before Die Hard. Probably because GQ was just on this past weekend.

[MBS]

19. yeah. : ( n/t

[snoringvoter]

36. +1

He shall be avenged!

[Scalded Nun]

15. RIP

[Tommy_Carcetti]

16. Well this has been a bummer of a week in celebrity news.

Great actor. Had an unmistakable voice. Loved him especially in Galaxy Quest.

[MBS]

20. " " " " n/t

[MBS]

17. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this.

He was one of my very favorite actors, and I watched him in everything I could. But perhaps my very favorite was his role as a has-been, cynical TV actor in Galaxy Quest. Wonderful.

I will really miss him.

[Zoonart]

37. OMG!

Almost forgot Galaxy Quest, and I just watched it a couple of weeks ago. They've been running it on SCI-FY.

"By Grapthar's hammer, you will be avenged."

If you get a chance check out his voice over as the depressed robot in Hitchhiker's Guide Th The Galaxy. It's hilarious.

[Lars39]

51. Galaxy Quest us on Netflix right now.

[MurrayDelph]

79. It was the best

Star Trek movie ever.

(And until Paul, the best depiction of fandom)

[Lars39]

80. Yep :-)

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

98. Patrick Stewart had thought of taking a pass on Galaxy Quest

Last edited Fri Jan 15, 2016, 07:27 AM - Edit history (1)

Until Jonathan Frakes told him he should see it, preferably in a packed cinema. Stewart said that he did that, and laughed more than anyone else in the audience.

George Takei called GQ "a chilling documentary", and Shatner apparently didn't get the joke.

[bvf]

136. LOL!

George Takei called GQ "a chilling documentary", and Shatner apparently didn't get the joke.

George Takei can really crack me up, and William Shatner... well, I'm sure it's been said before.

[Nye Bevan]

22. This week has really driven home that cancer sucks.

RIP to an excellent actor.

[dorkzilla]

39. We’ve all been touched by the cursed disease and this brings it home

It was gratifying to hear President Obama launch an effort to finally find a cure. I nearly lost my mom to it a few years ago but she was one of the lucky ones. I lost my Aunt to breast cancer in 2005 (she was only 51), my grandma to ovarian cancer and others too numerous to mention. I had skin cancer at 19.

Cancer can suck it.

[sinkingfeeling]

25. Good night, Professor Snape.

[davidpdx]

26. Hans is that you?

He did a great job with his dry humor in Die Hard. RIP

[TexasBushwhacker]

41. And his American accent in that one scene n/t

[davidpdx]

46. Yes, I believe it was a Texan accent

Correct me if I'm wrong on that one.

[TexasBushwhacker]

58. The magic of YouTube

Sounds like a pretty generic American accent to me. I read that it wasn't in the script originally. He let them know he could speak "American" and they used it.

[Act_of_Reparation]

67. I could be wrong...

... but I could have sworn he said he was doing his impression of a Californian.

[Proserpina]

73. That's more like it (but it was still awful)

[Act_of_Reparation]

93. Indeed it was.

But then, very few British actors -- no matter how capable -- can pull off a flawless continental American accent à la Hugh Laurie or Domnall Gleeson, much less a regional accent. The nasal "r" gives them all sorts of trouble.

The southern accent is more their speed.

[Matilda]

133. It feels almost like heresy to say this,

but I don't think Alan was great at accents. It's a gift, and not every actor, however good, has been blessed.

In "Blow Dry" (which I loved), his Yorkshire accent came and went; he really didn't sustain it as both Natasha Richardson and Rachel Griffiths (who's Australian!), both did. And of course, Warren Clarke was 100% perfect.

Best accent I ever heard him do was the Russian accent in "Rasputin", which I thought sounded good, not that I'm an expert on the Russian accent. But it was at least consistent.

[sybylla]

27. OMG. I hoped this year wouldn't suck as much as the last three.

This one isn't off to a very good start.

Alan Rickman was one of the greats, though he didn't show up very often in the leading role. A great person. A great actor. So freaking smart and charming. Brave enough to play Snape and actually carry it off expertly.

Rest in peace, dear man. The world is a lesser place.

[morningfog]

28. Goddamit cancer. I so enjoyed Rickman.

[Baitball Blogger]

29. God is calling back all his angels!

Nooooooooooooooo! Not Alan Rickman. Why! WHY!

Love that man!

[Act_of_Reparation]

95. God better have a sense of humor...

...or Rickman's really toast.

[PassingFair]

30. Such an effortlessly cool guy...

[djean111]

40. I was just going to post this! One of my favorite music videos, and Rickman is so smooth!

"In Demand" is the name of the song. And his moves at the gas pump - sexy as anything.
I read that he is related to or a friend of the singer, and that is why he did what is a fantastic little movie, really.

[PassingFair]

68. He raised the bar in every appearance.

And he was a labor supporter!

[dorkzilla]

31. I will miss this voice, and this incredible talent

He reads Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130. Incredible.

[Zoonart]

38. Okay... you made me cry

Thanks for this, Dorkzilla.

[dorkzilla]

42. Sorry, Zoonart.

That voice! That talent! So so sad.

[Kelvin Mace]

32. We can spend a trillion dollars on an illegal

attacking a country that had nothing to do with the death of 3,000 people, but we pretty much ignore a disease killing millions every year.

Yes, I know millions are spent on cancer research, but we are not mortgaging our children's future to fight it, so we are really not making the effort.

[TexasBushwhacker]

45. Unfortunately CANCER is many diseases

We've made great advances in curing some types of cancer - childhood leukemia for example. Hodgins lymphoma is another.

But I hate cancer and I fear it. I lost my mother to breast cancer in 2004 after a 9 year battle. She was 69 too. That reminds me. I'm due for my annual mammogram.

[Kelvin Mace]

54. Very true,

but imagine a country where we spent our money proportionately on the actual threats to people's lives, not the "perceived threats".

These days we mostly rely on private corporations to develop drugs to treat disease based on how much money it will make them. We have "cancer centers" advertising how great their recovery rates are, based on the fact that they won't take anyone really sick, since it would screw up their average.

I want a government that goes after disease for the public good, not a group of investors deciding how they can keep people just alive and miserable enough so they can squeeze every penny out of them.

[snoringvoter]

34. Rest well, Metatron, or Snape.

Many of his great works.

[Ford_Prefect]

43. A fine vintage indeed...

Great wine is great art, my friend. I am, in effect, a shepherd... whose mission is to offer the public another form of great art and to guide its appreciation thereof.

Alan Rickman as the ultimate English wine snob Steven Spurrier in Bottle Shock

[abelenkpe]

47. T_T

RIP Alan Rickman

[underpants]

49. How he didn't win an Oscar for playing Hans Gruber I will never know

It probably had to do with it being his first big role and that Willis also was a first time leading man. He was FANTASTIC as Hans.

[wendylaroux]

50. Wonderful actor,loved him : (

RIP Sir.

[florida08]

52. Loved his ability

to be any character. He was one of the greats yet he won few awards from us.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000614/awards

Now would be a good time for that cure for cancer

[Bayard]

55. Damn. I loved that guy.

Still find "Galaxy Quest" hysterical. A great villain......"Robin Hood", "Die Hard". Great in any role.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

97. The comment I've made about Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves

Is that Alan Rickman seemed to be in an entirely different movie than anyone else in the cast, and I think that I would rather see the movie Rickman was in.

[Depaysement]

56. R.I.P.

Director of "A . . . My Name is Rachel Corrie" a play about the American Palestinian activist, unarmed and savagely bulldozed by "Israel's finest."

[Paladin]

57. Very sorry to hear this. RIP. (nt)

[Siwsan]

60. Another morning when I wake up, absolutely gutted

First David and now Alan. I adored this man's acting. From the Sheriff of Nottingham to Colonel Brandon, his versatility was amazing. Comedy, Drama, Villain, Hero. He could do it all.

I should be running out of tears, but there seems to be an endless supply, lately.

[dorkzilla]

62. I feel the same

I was watching Sky News when they broke the news. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing...so far, 2016 is turning out to be a disappointment.

[paleotn]

64. damn....

one of my all time favorites. He will be sadly missed.

[burfman]

65. By Grabthar's Hammer, by the suns of Warvan, you shall be avenged!

One of the very big characters in one of my favorite movies - can't imagine it being as good without Alan Rickman! A very talented actor, I shall miss him.

[progressoid]

114. Here he talks about that role...

[burfman]

128. Thanks! - a good clip, a good actor and a good role!

Never give up, never surrender!

[EndElectoral]

66. Saw him on Broadway in Private Lives...just phenomenal...RIP Alan

[Proserpina]

69. OH no!

This is so sad.

[DinahMoeHum]

70. "Turn to Page 394. . ."

[dixiegrrrrl]

89. Good reason to binge watch Harry Potter again........

Adieu, Professor Snape.

[tabasco]

71. Same age as Bowie, also from cancer.

I hope with all my heart that Obama's goal to find a cancer cure is realistic and can be achieved.

[gvstn]

101. Pro-tip if you get cancer at 67 don't battle it in secret.

Seems to be a bad move. I will miss them both.

I just wish they could have felt the outpouring of love and respect for their work while they were alive.

[tabasco]

105. Very personal decision. n/t

[niyad]

140. won't be, so long as big pharma and the ama can make money off its victims.

[MuseRider]

72. Well, this is very sad news

again this week. I really loved this mans work.

I can't say more.

RIP Alan and thank you so much for sharing your talent with us.

[bikebloke]

74. Gray will be heartbroken.

[Lifelong Protester]

76. He was good in anything

And made the movie "Love, Actually". He was great! I loved his voice.

[itcfish]

103. Loved him in this

Movie too! It's my favorite Christmas movie

[MowCowWhoHow III]

82. 3rd of 3?

[hifiguy]

113. It has been a shitty three weeks, hasn't it?

[dixiegrrrrl]

83. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

84. WTF?!!! I don't know what I'll miss more. The great acting or the awesome voice. nt

[kath]

85. He played Tybalt in 1978 - first screen role

(That one is just screenshots. There used to be one of the scene where Tybalt is killed by Romeo that includes his voice, but I can't find it )

I am so very sad today.

[kath]

87. Here is a vid of him as Tybalt where the clips include his wonderful voice:

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/B3ee9Kd4NNY

[dorkzilla]

90. Lovely montage, kath, thanks,

And I am SO DIGGIN’ the viol music playing in this. I’m going to a lute concert tomorrow...hopefully that will cheer me in an otherwise bleak few days.

[dixiegrrrrl]

91. He was a wonderful Obediah Slope in 1982's The Barchester Chronicles

Luckily, I have a copy of that series....must find it now.

[dorkzilla]

94. I have that as well...going to have to watch again this evening

[Half-Century Man]

86. Well....Damn it. eom

[LongTomH]

88. Oh, noooo!!!!!

[NewJeffCT]

92. Nice tribute from Daniel Radcliffe

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/14/alan-rickman-daniel-radcliffe-tribute

“Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with,” Radcliffe wrote Thursday on his Google Plus page...

more at the link.

[progressoid]

115. Alan Rickman and Michael Gambon prank Daniel Radcliffe

[SwankyXomb]

96. Two lesser-known movies of his that I love

January Man with Kevin Kline, where he plays the sidekick, and Judas Kiss, where he and Emma Thompson duel over the most ridiculous attempts at New Orleans/Texas accents.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

106. Judas Kiss --

Oh man, you are soooo right about those accents! Didn't Alan direct that, as well? He had the ability to make even a small, non-descript role like the artist neighbor in January Man into something interesting and watchable. A tremendous talent.

[SwankyXomb]

109. Sebastian Gutierrez directed Judas Kiss

If you can find it, watch it. Hal Holbrook is great as well, in a role that seems like it was done for a different movie, plus lots of naked Carla Gugino. How can that be wrong?

[FailureToCommunicate]

99. He was SO GOOD playing BAD guys...

Sheriff of Nottingham, etc!!

[Xyzse]

102. Yep, I've lamenting saying "Severus" every since I've heard this.

Really sad.

[artislife]

104. This list on why we love Alan was made 8 months ago

http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2015/05/10-reasons-we-love-alan-rickman

Please click to enjoy

[NewJeffCT]

119. great list

thanks for sharing the link

[Rebkeh]

108. Soar in Peace, Alan

I first learned of him in Closetland, I knew then he was going places. What a good life.

[Babel_17]

112. Made me laugh

Starting with that line about the Asian Dawn in Die Hard.

Hans: The following people are to be released from their captors: In Northern Ireland, the seven members of the New Provo Front. In Canada, the five imprisoned leaders of Liberte de Quebec. In Sri Lanka, the nine members of the Asian Dawn movement...

John McClane: (listening on the radio) What the fuck?

Karl: (mouthing silently) Asian Dawn?

Hans: (covers the radio) I read about them in Time magazine.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095016/quotes

[progressoid]

116. Let's not forget CBGB

[demigoddess]

117. D**n, I am going to miss him!!!

He was such a fantastic actor. Far and away better than most, if not all, his contemporaries.

[maveric]

118. He was great in "Dogma".

RIP Alan

[trillion]

126. Yes. That was the first one I rembered him in.

[geardaddy]

120. Holy shit!

I just watched CBGB on Netflix. His performance was awesome. He will be sorely missed.

[tavernier]

121. My favorite is Rasputin

for which he earned a Golden Globe.

I have seen all of his films. I drove to NYC to see him direct a play and appear in a question/answer afterward. I flew to Dublin to see him in a play. I met him at the stage door afterward. I walked down the street where he lives in London and briefly (and respectfully) admired his modest home. I was with a friend and we did giggle like school girls.

I am very sad.

[Matilda]

131. You seldom see Rasputin mentioned in references to his work,

but I have it on DVD, and I think it's an excellent performance, and deserves more mentions.

[cascadiance]

122. Call up the Oscars production team... The "In Memoriam" segment needs a lot more time this year...

Seems like we're adding a few more this week to that segment. For more that we lost the last year, here's a video of those who passed in 2015. More greats that will share the stage with Bowie and Rickman will be:

- Omar Sharif
- Maureen O'Hara
- Dick Van Patten
- Anita Ekberg
- Roddy Piper
- Leonard Nimoy
- Christopher Lee
(etc., etc.)

[Liberal_in_LA]

123. Photos

[trillion]

125. Very sorry to hear. Rip.

[glinda]

132. It has been a couple bad days.....

I adored him. His work. His voice. And pretty much the top of my "man crush list". Crap. So sad.

[Le Taz Hot]

135. One of my favorite actors.

Last edited Fri Jan 15, 2016, 09:38 AM - Edit history (1)

If you've never seen Bottle Shock, he absolutely steals the show. Well, him and Denise Farina. Great movie about the burgeoning Califonira wine industry in the 1970's.

Go with the muses, Alan. I'm gonna miss you.

[dorkzilla]

143. It's on Netflix right now

I added it to my list to watch this weekend.

[niyad]

137. requiescat in pace.

[DonCoquixote]

142. DAMN!

Is the reaper trying to eliminate all the good culture, pop or otherwise? If I mentioned all the others I would rather see go, I would get banned.

[Kennah]

144. Why a spoon?

This scene still puts me into hysterics.

Rest in peace, good sir.

[mackerel]

145. Bottle Shock was another good one.

[Matilda]

146. In Demand

Not an acting piece - he must have got paid well to do it - but he does look gorgeous.

And who wouldn't have wanted to tango with Alan Rickman?

[lupinella]

147. Page 394

Every performance he gave was a master class in reacting as acting. He could ooze charisma whilst showing such vulnerability - a rare & precious quality in any actor.
His appeal wasn't just his charm or his talent or his uniquely asymmetrical yet noble appearance, nor was it simply that amazingly sensual, dangerous voice. It was everything he could do with the sum of those qualities. A Guardian article (not certain if it is the one linked) had a quote by Stephen Poliakoff in reference to his pre-Liasons career, "People said he wasn't sexy enough, heterosexual directors in the theatre didn't think he was attractive to women - just about the greatest miscalculation in showbiz history!" Truer words.

But it was his undercurrent of the wounded soul beneath the haughty exterior that always brought audiences back to him. Somehow he was relatable even at his most arrogant. We wanted Hans & the Sheriff to glory in their wickedness. And when he played kind... oh, Col. Brandon. And I am one of the few who HATE Austen!

But looking to his (arguably) most famous role shows his power as an actor: No one else could have made Severus Snape as wonderfully divisive as he became. JK Rowling wrote the character with adjectives such as hook-nosed & sallow-skinned, which Rickman managed (the nose was natural, the skin through the wonders of make-up), but she also described his voice as silky. Then he personified the moral ambiguity of the tortured man who bullies children, the seemingly craven villain who is later acknowledged as the bravest man Harry ever knew. He played the notes of uncomfortable obsession with eloquent dissonance alongside the abject wretchedness of a person who has long since given up hope of ever being redeemed in the eyes of the world.

One of my acting gods, & I can't wrap my head around the fact that he is gone.
Losing him the same week as Bowie is heartbreaking. I'm not normally one for being this hurt by celebrity deaths, but these both feel so personal to me that I feel gobsmacked & keep randomly crying.
I wish I had the capacity to believe in an afterlife, because if it existed I would imagine the two men were somewhere together recording absolutely indecent & unearthly audio-books.