In a move that epitomizes kicking someone while they’re down, the universe took Alan Rickman from us today. Rickman died this morning at the age of 69 after a battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends. Hans Gruber, Judge Turpin, The Metatron, Alexander Dane, Severus Snape, Alan Rickman was many things to many people, but you would be hard pressed to find someone who didn’t love him for at least one of his roles.
Born Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman in Acton London February 21, 1946, Rickman began his theatrical career on the stage doing plays like “Romeo and Juliet” and “As You Like It.” In 1985 he won the lead male role in “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” the production later transferred to Broadway where Rickman received a Tony nomination for the performance.
Three years later he was cast as the infamous villain Hans Gruber in “Die Hard” bringing his acting chops and unforgettable voice to the masses. Over the next three decades Rickman had dozens of roles in a variety of genres. While his dramatic voice and delivery most often typecast him as the antagonist, The Sheriff of Nottingham and Severus Snape being clear examples, movies like “Dogma” and “Galaxy Quest” showed his ability and appreciation for humor as well. Not to mention lending his voice for the depressed and paranoid android with a massive brain, Marvin, for the big screen adaptation of Douglas Adams’ “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”
In an industry where many fit into cookie cutter molds, Alan Rickman stood out as someone memorable, someone special, someone who instantly elevated the credibility of any project he was on by simple virtue of his being there. He leaves a hole in popular culture that won’t be easily filled and, by Grabthar’s Hammer, by the suns of Warvan, he shall be remembered. According to the Internet Movie DataBase his final role will be the voice of the blue caterpillar in the upcoming Tim Burton “Alice in Wonderland” sequel.
While the world collectively mourns the loss, our thoughts are with his friends and family. Thank you for sharing him with the world.