Alan Rickman: From Harry Potter to Die Hard to Love Actually, his 13 best film moments

The actor passed away aged 69

Roisin O'Connor
Thursday 14 January 2016 13:54 GMT
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Most iconic Alan Rickman scenes: Harry Potter; Die Hard; Sense and Sensibility; Love Actually

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Alan Rickman, the British star of film, stage and television, has died aged 69. His features and deep, drawling voice were instantly recognisable to audiences all over the world,

He was a leading man in films such as Truly, Madly, Deeply, starring opposite Juliet Stevenson; portrayed Hans Gruber - Bruce Willis' adversary in Die Hard - a part which was offered to him just two days after he arrived, aged 41, in Los Angeles.

Other memorable "baddies" include his Sheriff of Nottingham in 1991's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and the unforgettable Severus Snape, in the film series adaptation of JK Rowling's Harry Potter.

Here are just some of Alan Rickman's memorable moments in film:

1) Love Actually (2003)

Rickman starred opposite his regular onscreen partner Emma Thompson as Harry, the managing director of a design agency who gets into an affair with his secretary whilst married to the long-suffering Karen (Emma Thompson).

2) Die Hard (1988)

Bruce Willis starred as off-duty New York cop John McClane, who takes on Rickman's sardonic, evil Hans Gruber and his team of organised criminals.

3) Harry Potter (2001 - 2011)

One of Rickman's most beloved characters; Severus Snape was one of Harry Potter's main tormentors throughout the series but was ultimately revealed to be a hero.

4) Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Again starring alongside Emma Thompson, Rickman was Jane Austen's character Colonel Brandon, who falls in love with Kate Winslet's Marianne.

5) Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Rickman was brilliant as the Sherrif of Nottingham, and won the BAFTA award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

6) Dogma (1999)

Metatron was the sarcastic, bad-tempered angel sent to inform Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) of her connection to Jesus Christ.

7) Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

"I'm feeling very depressed today" - Rickman was the voice of Marvin, the Paranoid Android.

8) Truly, Madly, Deeply (1990)

Juliet Stevenson starred with Rickman in this fantasy music drama, where the latter appeared as a "ghost" to reconcile with his girlfriend Nina (Stevenson).

9) Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)

Ben Whishaw played notorious murderer Jean Baptiste Grenoulle, hunted by the father of one of his victims, the wealthy Antoine Richis (Rickman).

10) Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

11) Gambit (2013)

12) Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Rickman was the voice of the Absolem the Caterpillar in Tim Burton's remake of the famous book.

13) CBGB (2013)

Rickman played Billy Kristal in this story of the man behind New York music venue CBGB.

Alan Rickman passed away in London, surrounded by his family

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