A whole generation of fans was devastated on Thursday, January 14th, to hear that Alan Rickman had lost the battle with cancer. His family members revealed to The Guardian that the actor had been suffering from pancreatic cancer. Rickman’s unparalleled embodiment of Professor Snape in the Harry Potter series is without a doubt the reason why we will continue to remember him with his famous all-black attire and his everlasting love for Lily Potter. With that being said, Rickman has many other memorable performances that demonstrate his perceptive nature of a wide range of human temperaments, and it would be unfair to him as an actor not to pay tribute to them all. Here are six of Rickman’s performances that solidified his place on screens as one of the most talented actors of our time:
Die Hard (1988)
This was Rickman’s first Hollywood film, in which he played the terrorist Hans Gruber. The film, also starring Bruce Willis, turned out to be a huge, big-budget action film that paved the way for more British actors to work in Hollywood blockbusters.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
Rickman returned to play the role of Robin Hood, another villain, which ultimately outdid his performance in Die Hard. His portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham earned him a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor.
Truly, Madly, Deeply (1990)
This British music fantasy drama made as a BBC series marked Rickman as a well-rounded actor. Rickman played Juliet Stevenson’s cellist boyfriend, who returns to “haunt” her after his death. The story broke many hearts with its ghost-like nature, and marked a change of pace for Rickman.
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
By 1995, Rickman’s career was already fully established, and his small, but memorable role as the noble Colonel Brandon further solidified him as a revered actor. In Director Ang Lee’s critically acclaimed adaptation of the masterpiece, Rickman plays alongside Kate Winslet, and woos her character Marianne (along with our hearts).
Love, Actually (2003)
Rickman’s role as Harry in Love, Actually, who betrays his wife and sneakily attempts to purchase a necklace for his secretary, is one of my favorite performances of his. Rickman’s status as one of British cinema’s greatest was solidified with this instant-Christmas-favorite movie.
Eye in the Sky (2015)
Rickman’s final performance before passing away is in this thriller, in which we see Rickman as a British military officer alongside Helen Mirren, who handed him his BAFTA years earlier.
Even though Alan Rickman never won an Oscar, this never seemed to trouble him. “Parts win prizes, not actors,” he said in an interview in 2008. It was something bigger he wanted to accomplish; he wanted to be remembered for the wider worth of his art, and for that, Alan Rickman will continue to live. He will remain in our memories as the actor who was unafraid of the unexpected, and in our hearts as the villain we forever love to hate.
Information obtained from:
http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2016/jan/14/alan-rickman-10-key…
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jan/14/alan-rickman-giant-of-britis…
http://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/12-magnificent-roles-to-remember-alan-…
Images obtained from:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/12-magnificent-roles-to-remember-alan-…
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/alan-rickman/images/38002180/title/eye-sky-2…
Video obtained from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfNzZre-sIU