LONDON, (Reuters) – British actor Alan Rickman, whose roles ranged from Hollywood villains to Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films, has died after a battle with cancer aged 69.
With his aquiline features and cultured – if often menacing – English accent, he became one of Britain’s best-known actors of stage and screen over the last 30 years with a career stretching from the Royal Shakespeare Company to sci-fi spoof “Galaxy Quest”.
His family said he had died surrounded by family and friends.
“Alan was my friend and so this is hard to write because I have just kissed him goodbye,” said British actress Emma Thompson who appeared with Rickman in a number of films including “Love Actually.” He was the finest of actors and directors. I couldn’t wait to see what he was going to do with his face next,” she said in a statement.
