Last week was undoubtedly a tragic one, what with the loss of two great cultural icons. The death of David Bowie on the 10th January shocked many across the world, and followed by the recent news of the death of Alan Rickman on 14th January, this cast a gloom over January – which, let’s face it, is already gloomy enough. The world is in mourning for two iconic men, who had an immense influence on music, film and culture.
Her Campus have decided to pay tribute to the late actor, Alan Rickman, through the words of his fellow actors and friends.
1. J.K. Rowling
From the woman who started it all, J.K. Rowling took to Twitter on Thursday to share her condolences for the loss of a pivotal member of the Harry Potter clan.
2. Daniel Radcliffe
Radcliffe shared this touching photo on his Google Plus account, alongside an emotional post declaring Rickman as ‘undoubtedly one of the greatest actors he would ever work with’. He continues to express Rickman’s inherent kindness, despite his down-right scary portrayal of Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series. Radcliffe concluded;
‘Working with him at such a formative age was incredibly important and I will carry the lessons he taught me for the rest of my life and career. Film sets and theatre stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man.’
3. Ian McKellen
McKellen took to Facebook to post a warming message summarising Rickman’s stellar acting accomplishments. He wrote;
‘Behind his starry insouciance and careless elegance, behind that mournful face, which was just as beautiful when wracked with mirth, there was a super-active spirit, questing and achieving, a super-hero, unassuming but deadly effective.’
‘He leaves a multitude of fans and friends, grateful and bereft.’
Ian McKellen, Greta Saatchi and Alan Rickman at the Golden Globe Awards, 1974.
4. Ralph Fiennes
Ralph Fiennes, who starred alongside Rickman in the Harry Potter series as Voldemort, paid tribute to his friend Alan Rickman, stating;
“Alan was a dear friend, a friend to many and deeply supportive of the work of other actors,”
He continued;
“I cannot believe he is gone and we are the poorer for it. But his spirit and great generosity live on the hearts of everyone who knew him – and of course in his brilliant work. A unique Actor – Funny, acutely perceptive, extraordinarily loyal and giving – Alan cared.”
5. Emma Thompson
Possibly the most tear-jerking statement came from Emma Thompson. Starring alongside Rickman in Harry Potter and Love Actually, Thompson said; “He was the ultimate ally in life, art and politics- I trusted him absolutely”.
Having “just kissed him goodbye”, Thompson ended;
“He was, above all things, a rare and unique human being and we shall not see his lile again”.
It’s fair to say that a lot of us feel this way about Alan Rickman. Growing up alongside the incredibly intimidating icon of Severus Snape has without a doubt imprinted Rickman in my mind as a ‘Harry Potter’ actor. Yet, he was so much more. He achieved a huge amount of accomplishments throughout his career and will be truly missed by his family, friends, fellow actors, directors and fans alike.
Rest in Peace, Alan Rickman
(1946-2016)
Edited by Katie Randall
Sources:
https://twitter.com/jk_rowling
https://plus.google.com/+DanielRadcliffe/posts
http://time.com/4181278/alan-rickman-ralph-fiennes-snape-voldemort/
http://weheartit.com/entry/group/2242717