The world mournes the death of Alan Rickman, a true legend

One of the most memorable British actors of all time, Alan Rickman, has died aged 69.

He passed away in London today, Thursday 14th January, 2016 after battling cancer.

Rickman had appeared in the broadest spectrum of roles, in some of the most iconic films of the past 30 years. Making his breakthrough to cinema in the iconic 1988 action flick Die Hard (crazy to think that the appearance of Hans Gruber was his first time on a cinema screen), it seemed like his career was written in the stars, after getting offered the part two days after arriving in Los Angeles, aged 41.

Not one to turn down the role of the villain, Rickman was unforgettable as The Sheriff of Nottingham in 1991’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. He found a new level of fame to a younger generation when he took on the sinister character of Professor Snape in the Harry Potter franchise.

He was also an avid fan of performing on stage, something he returned to frequently throughout his career, even directing the award-winning My Name is Rachel Corrie in 2005.

Rickman met his wife, Rima Horton, when the pair were both in their teens. They married in 2012, after being together since 1965.

“Actors are agents of change,” he once said. “A film, a piece of theatre, a piece of music, or a book can make a difference. It can change the world.”

Goodbye, sir. We will miss you and by Grabthar’s Hammar we will remember you.

Thanks to Phil at Squareeyed for the words