Alan Rickman: An Icon That College Students Will Sorely Miss

By Victoria Robertson on January 14, 2016

Famous for his role as Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” franchise, Alan Rickman passed away Thursday morning at just 69 years old after a very brief battle with cancer.

The current college community grew up watching Rickman portray the potions teacher they read about in J.K. Rowling’s series, and as the films were released, they watched him take a character and truly perfect him, making him one of the most beloved and iconic in society today.

Photo Via: http://www.lancastertrust.com

Some other notable Rickman films include “Die Hard” (1988), “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (2007), “Love Actually” (2003) and “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (2013).

However, Rickman’s career isn’t quite over, as fans can expect to hear him in the upcoming “Alice in Wonderland” (2010) sequel, “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” which will be released this year. He did voice work as the blue caterpillar.

In the growing age of technology, social media has become a platform for fans and friends alike to express their sympathies and regrets at the late actor’s death.

Amongst the college community, the lines, “After all this time? Always” are trending, as fans mourn the loss of Rickman, associating it with the tragic, yet oddly romantic, outcome of Professor Snape’s story.

The acting community was also rocked by this news, and quickly took to social media to express their sorrows.

Actress Emma Watson, Hermione Grainger in the “Harry Potter” series, posted her condolences on Facebook:

“I’m very sad to hear about Alan today. I feel so lucky to have worked and spent time with such a special man and actor. I’ll really miss our conversations. RIP Alan. We love you.”

Actor Jason Isaacs, Lucius Malfoy in the “Harry Potter” series, Tweeted:

“Heartbreaking news about lovely Alan. Nobody else could be as hilarious, tragic, terrifying and truthful all at the same time #RIPAlanRickman.”

Matthew Lewis, better known as Neville Longbottom, posted an image of himself and Rickman on Instagram, as well as a note underneath that reads as follows.

“I was at Leavesden Studios today when I heard the news. As I walked through the canteen I thought of Alan queuing up for his lunch with us mere mortals. I recalled the trailer in which he offered me some of the greatest advice I ever received about this mad profession we shared. Being back in those corridors made me remember a lot of things and I will treasure those memories all my life. He inspired my career more than he ever knew and I’ll miss him.”

Even J.K. Rowling took to the internet.

“There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman’s death. He was a magnificent actor and a wonderful man. My thoughts are with Rima and the rest of Alan’s family. We have all lost a great talent. They have lost part of their hearts.”

But perhaps most heartbreaking of all, Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, took to social media to say exactly what needed to be heard.

“Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with. He is also one of the loyalist and most supportive people I’ve ever met in the film industry. He was so encouraging of me both on set and in the years post-Potter. I’m pretty sure he came and saw everything I ever did on stage both in London and New York. He didn’t have to do that. I know other people who’ve been friends with him for much much longer than I have and they all say, ‘If you call Alan, it doesn’t matter where in the world he is or how busy he is with what he’s doing, he’ll get back to you within a day.’

People create perceptions of actors based on the parts they played, so it might surprise some people to learn that contrary to some of the sterner (or downright scary) characters he played, Alan was extremely kind, generous, self-deprecating and funny. And certain things obviously became even funnier when delivered in his unmistakable double-bass.

As an actor he was one of the first of the adults on Potter to treat me like a peer rather than a child. 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 theater stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man.”

And because there’s no possible way to more articulately describe what Rickman’s career has meant to society, I’ll leave it at that.

Rest in peace Alan Rickman. You will truly be missed.

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