Just as the world was getting used to the fact that David Bowie had passed away at the age of 69, news has broken about Alan Rickman’s death at the same age and of the same cause. 

Alan Rickman was an extraordinary actor on stage, screen and film.To many he will be most fondly remembered as Professor Snape from the Harry Potter film series or the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and even as Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility.

His instantly recognisable voice and the memorable way he was able to portray a villain – both nasty yet somehow likeable for example as Hans Gruber in Die Hard, shows just how much he will be missed as an actor.

The way in which he delivered his lines with his dry sense of humour is powerful and will forever be memorable.

Here are just a few favourite moments from some of his performances (no particular order):

 

 

 

In these selection scenes alone, Alan Rickman starred in a variety of roles that would appeal to a wide range of different audiences  and this is why he will be missed by so many film fans. A sad loss of a brilliant British actor.