Another great British talent has left us, but here’s to remembering the good — always
British theatre and film titan Alan Rickman died yesterday at 69 years old. He had been battling cancer, and his death was confirmed last night (SGT) by his family, who said that he was “surrounded by family and friends” when he departed.
Just as we have the recently-departed David Bowie in our hearts, we pay tribute to Rickman by looking at how he has impacted the world of film and theatre in more than 30 years in entertainment.
1. Le Vicomte de Valmont — first acclaimed role
(Photo: alanrickmanfan.hu)
Rickman’s role as Le Vicomte de Valmont in “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” (“Dangerous Liaisons”), the 1986 Royal Shakespeare Company staging of the French novel, earned him raving reviews and great acclaim.
He was nominated for the Tony Award for his portrayal.
2. Hans Gruber — breakthrough screen role
Rickman then went on to star as Hans Gruber, leader of a highly-organised criminal ring, in the commercial classic movie Die Hard (1988). This role, alongside Bruce Willis, while not turning any awards for Rickman, launched his career as a film actor.
Here’s an interesting tidbit about Rickman in Die Hard: For his character’s death scene, Rickman was to fall 7.62m onto an airbag — except the crew decided that they would get a better reaction if they dropped him on the count of “one”. They were right; here’s his reaction of pure surprise:
(Video: gizmodo.com)
3. The Sheriff of Nottingham — the villain we most love to hate
(Photo: fanpop.com)
Long before the days of Severus Snape, Rickman played the part of the villain we most love to hate.
As the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), the arch-nemesis of Kevin Costner’s titular character, he won the BAFTA Award (equivalent to the British Oscars) for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
4. Rasputin — one role, four awards
(Photo: wikipedia.com)
In 1996, Rickman went on to take on the role of another villain. He starred in the television series “Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny” as none other than the notorious Grigori Rasputin, ‘mad monk’ and healer to the Tsarevich of Russia.
This role clinched various awards for Rickman as Best Actor in a Television Series, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
5. Dancing lover — a surprise appearance in a music video
Not about to be typecast as a villain, Rickman went for the unexpected. He made an appearance as a dancing lover in Scottish band Texas’ music video for the single “In Demand” (2000).
Not only was it unusual for him to dance on-screen, it was also a surprising change for fans to see Rickman in an outwardly romantic role (as compared to the stoic Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility, in 1995).
Watch Rickman in “In Demand” here:
6. Harry — foolish husband and father
Rickman then starred as the object of his secretary’s advances in Love Actually (2003). His character later realises his foolish treatment of his wife and children — it’s interesting to note that Rickman never was a father in real life.
Nonetheless, contrary to popular belief, he was in fact a husband. He secretly wed his longtime lover of 40 years, Rima Horton, in 2012, and didn’t reveal this relationship until last year.
Rickman secretly dated and wed his wife, Rima Horton. (Photo: people.com)
6. Severus Snape — most memorable and long-lived role
Rickman’s farewell letter to Harry Potter fans, published in Empire in 2011. (Photo: independent.co.uk)
Most young audiences would remember Rickman fondly as Professor Severus Snape of the Harry Potter series (2001-2011). His first appearance in The Sorceror’s Stone as the stern and slightly-condescending professor made him a hard character to love but as the series wore on, his background revealed him to be a tragic antihero. His diction in the saga has also become iconic.
And who can forget his most poignant and unforgettable scene in The Deathly Hallows: Part 2? Watch it again here (and try not to tear up):
7. The Blue Caterpillar — his quirky last legacy
Rickman may have left us, but not without a parting gift. In 2010, Rickman took on the voice role as Absolem the (blue) Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland. Fans of Rickman will be glad to know that he will also be in this year’s sequel, Alice Through the Looking Glass (releasing May 27).
It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to another great artist of our time. Rest in peace, Alan Rickman — always.
By Pamela Chow
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