Rickman's family said Thursday that the actor had died after a battle with cancer.
Trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Rickman was often cast as the bad guy; with his rich, languid voice he could invest evil with wicked, irresistible relish.
His breakout role was as scheming French aristocrat the Vicomte de Valmont in an acclaimed 1985 Royal Shakespeare Company production of Christopher Hampton's "Les Liaisons Dangereuses."
Film roles included the psychopathic villain Hans Gruber in "Die Hard" in 1988; a deceased lover who consoles his bereaved partner in 1990's "Truly Madly Deeply"; the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" in 1991; and a wayward husband in 2003 romantic comedy "Love Actually."
Millions know him from the Potter films, in which he played the portions and defense against the dark arts teacher Severus Snape, who was either a nemesis or an ally — possibly both — to the titular teenage wizard.
He appeared frequently onstage, earning Tony Award nominations for "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" in 1987 and Noel Coward's "Private Lives" in 2002.
Rickman was also a filmmaker, directing and co-starring opposite Kate Winslet in 2014 costume drama "A Little Chaos."
Frequently charming in person, Rickman was, by his own account, uncompromising as an actor. During the filming of "Harry Potter," he maintained Snape's air of haughty disdain even off-camera.
"The animal in me takes over," Rickman said in 2011 when he appeared on Broadway in Theresa Rebeck's play "Seminar."
"You're as polite as possible, but it's not always possible."
Rickman is survived by his partner of 50 years, Rima Horton, whom he married recently.
(AP)
In this Wednesday, April 15, 2015 file photo, actor Alan Rickman poses
for photographers on arrival at 'BAFTA A Life In Pictures, with Alan
Rickman' in central London. British actor Alan Rickman, whose career
ranged from Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company to the “Harry Potter”
films, has died. He was 69. Rickman’s family said Thursday, Jan. 14,
2016 that the actor had died after a battle with cancer.
In this Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 file photo, actor Alan Rickman arrives
for the World Premiere of Gambit at the Empire cinema in central London.
British actor Alan Rickman, whose career ranged from Britain’s Royal
Shakespeare Company to the “Harry Potter” films, has died. He was 69.
Rickman’s family said Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 that the actor had died
after a battle with cancer.
In this Feb. 9, 2006 file photo, US actress Sigourney Weaver, left, and
British actor Alan Rickman pose during a photocall for their movie 'Snow
Cake' at the Berlinale in Berlin. British actor Alan Rickman, whose
career ranged from Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company to the “Harry
Potter” films, has died. He was 69. Rickman’s family said Thursday,
Jan. 14, 2016 that the actor had died after a battle with cancer.
In this Oct. 16, 1998 file photo, British actors Helen Mirren and Alan
Rickman act, during a photocall rehearsal for 'Anthony and Cleopatra' at
the Olivier Theatre on London's South Bank. British actor Alan Rickman,
whose career ranged from Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company to the
“Harry Potter” films, has died. He was 69. Rickman’s family said
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 that the actor had died after a battle with
cancer.
In this Jan. 10, 2008 file photo, from left to right, British actor
Alan Rickman, British director Tim Burton, British actress Helena Bonham
Carter, US actor Johnny Depp and British actor Timothy Spall pose for
photographers, at the premiere of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of
Fleet Street, in London. British actor Alan Rickman, whose career ranged
from Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company to the “Harry Potter” films,
has died. He was 69. Rickman’s family said Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 that
the actor had died after a battle with cancer.