Alan Rickman: Remembering ‘Harry Potter’ & ‘Die Hard’ Star On Anniversary Of His Passing

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January 14, 2022 11:27AM EST

On January 14, 2016, one of the most beloved actors of his generation lost his battle with pancreatic cancer, On the anniversary of his passing, we look back at Alan Rickman’s life and legacy — always.

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Alan Rickman: Beloved ‘Harry Potter’ & ‘Die Hard’ Star Remembered

Alan Rickman: Beloved ‘Harry Potter’ & ‘Die Hard’ Star Remembered — Film fans across the globe were heartbroken to hear of the sudden passing of the star on January 14, 2016. An unparalleled personality. Alan brought life to characters known the world over, like Judge Turpin, The Sheriff of Nottingham, and of course, Hans Gruber.

But for millions, Alan will likely be remembered as the man who brought to life the most complicated wizard in the Harry Potter universe — Severus Snape. Portraying Professor Snape meant that he was privy to shocking reveal about his character’s past before the rest of the fandom, and it was that secret that kept him a part of the films over the decade’s run. “It was a punctuation mark in my life every year because I would be doing other things but always come back to that, and I was always aware of my place in the story even as others around me were not,” Rickman told the LA Times in 2011.

Take look bask at Alan’s career and life in the gallery

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Harry Potter Franchise

Harry Potter Franchise — From the first film to the last, Alan Rickman played Severus Snape, the secret-keeping, mystery savior of the franchise in the Harry Potter films. Pictured here in ‘Harry Potter and the Order Of The Phoenix,’ Alan took his role incredibly seriously and was the only member of the cast to know his character’s destiny from day one.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:Part 2 Premiere

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:Part 2 Premiere — Alan Rickman was all smiles when he arrived in Trafalgar Square for the World Premiere of ‘Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2’, the last film in the series on July 7, 2011. Less than 5 years later, he would be gone, after a long battle with cancer.

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‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’ Film Premiere In New York

‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’ Film Premiere In New York — Alan Rickman poses alongside the young stars of the franchise –Tom Felton, Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Matthew Lewis — at the New York premiere of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’ on July, 11 2011. After his passing, each of his co-stars released heartfelt tributes to the acting legend they had grown up getting to know.

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MICHAEL COLLINS (1996)

MICHAEL COLLINS (1996) — Aside from Harry Potter, Alan Rickman was in many successful films throughout his career, but particularly in the 90s, like the WB produced film, MICHAEL COLLINS.

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Die Hard (1988)

Die Hard (1988) — Perhaps his most memorable role outside of the Harry Potter franchise, Alan Rickman starred as Hans Gruber in ‘Die Hard’ alongside Bruce Willis. Whether you agree it’s a Christmas movie or not, there is not denying Alan was excellent.

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‘Hamlet’ (1992)

‘Hamlet’ (1992) — Alan Rickman not only commanded attention on the screen, but he was alos a prolific stage actor. He’s seen here in a production of Hamlet performed at the Riverside Studios, London in 1992.

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GALAXY QUEST (1999)

GALAXY QUEST (1999) — With his deep, penetrating voice and immense talent, Alan Rickman will likely be remembered best for his dramatic roles. However, he proved time and again that his comedic timing was unpararlled, especially for his performance alongside Tim Allen in ‘Galaxy Quest.’

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ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (1991)

ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (1991) — No one played a villian quite like Alan Rickman, and in 1991, he played one of the most iconic of them all in ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.’ Paired against Kevin Costner, Alan played the devious Sheriff of Nottingham.

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Goodwood Qatar Goodwood Festival (2015)

Goodwood Qatar Goodwood Festival (2015) — Always with a smile on his face, Alan Rickman gave the cameras a friendly wave at the Goodwood Qatar Goodwood Festival in 2015, several months before his passing.

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SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (1995)

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (1995) — As Colonel Brandon in ‘Sense and Sensibility’, Alan Rickman had a quiet way about him as he attempted to woo Emma Thompson.

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SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (2007)

SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (2007) — Pairing Johnny Depp with Alan Rickman for a Tim Burton production of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET just seemed like the magic made real! He played the coruptable Judge Turpin.

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HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (2002)

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (2002) — Wand at the ready, here is Alan Rickman once again as Snape aiding Tom Felton’s character Draco Malfoy face off against Harry Potter in the second film of the franchise.

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Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Sense and Sensibility (1995) — Looking dapper in a hat and giving the camera his signature smirk, here’s Alan Rickman in the 1995 film Sense and Sensibility, directed by Ang Lee. Jane Austen would be proud!

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Galaxy Quest (1999)

Galaxy Quest (1999) — The gang all together: Sam Rockwell, Alan Rickman, Tim Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Sigourney Weaver, and Tony Shalhoub show off their other worldly costumes for ‘Galaxy Quest’.

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GAMBIT (2012)

GAMBIT (2012) — Starring alongside the hilarious Cameron Diaz, Alan Rickman played Lionel Shabandar in the 2012 film, Gambit, where Alan once again got to show off his funny side.

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Alan Rickman In ‘Something The Lord Made’

Alan Rickman In ‘Something The Lord Made’ — Between ‘Harry Potter’ films, Alan Rickman starred in a number of comdies and thriller flicks, like this 2004 film with Mos Def, ‘Something The Lord Made’.

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Alan in ‘Perfume: The Story of a Murderer ‘

Alan in ‘Perfume: The Story of a Murderer ‘ — Gotta love Alan in a period drama and Alan Rickman clearly pulled off this look while starting in the film ‘Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer’ alongside Ben Whishaw and Dustin Hoffman.

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Alan Rickman’s Bright Smile

Alan Rickman’s Bright Smile — Alan Rickman looked much happier than Prof. Snape ever did while attending the Qatar Goodwood Festival, in Britain on July 29 2015

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Alan Rickman, Man in Black

Alan Rickman, Man in Black — Alan Rickman arrived in style, wearing a black suit for the Opening Ceremony of the 14th Annual Marrakech International Film Festival in Marrakech Morocco in December 2014

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