Alan Rickman, a brilliant British actor on both screen and stage, an outstanding movie villain, and a master of tragic comedy with a distinctively deep voice, was admired by colleagues and audiences alike. The actor passed away on January 14th, 2016, an unexpected tragedy that followed his private battle with cancer. Since his passing, tributes from friends and admirers have been flooding in. Daniel Radcliffe, who knew Rickman from his role as Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series, wrote an affectionate letter on his Google + page.
We brings you Radcliffe’s tender message to his dear friend. Well said, Daniel!
Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with. He is also, one of the most loyal 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 more stern (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.
Radcliffe also shared his favorite photo from the ’Harry Potter’ film set, saying:
I like this photo. It was taken, if I’m not mistaken, while rehearsing a scene where Alan clipped me and Rupert round the back of the head with a book. We all, apparently, found this hard to do without laughing.
— Dan
Source: Daniel Radcliffe