MANILA, Philippines – At news of the death of esteemed British actor Alan Rickman, best known for playing Severus Snape in the Harry Potter film series, those who worked with him on the hit films took to social media to express their grief and extend their condolences to Rickman's family.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling said:
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death. He was a magnificent actor & a wonderful man.</p>— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/687642690301890560">January 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">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.</p>— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/687644178113802240">January 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Rupert Grint played Ron Weasley in Harry Potter, and released a statement through Just Jared. He said: "I am devastated to hear about the passing of Alan Rickman, I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to work with him on numerous occasions – even though he has gone – I will always hear his voice. My thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.”
Star Daniel Radcliffe, who played the Harry Potter character so hated (and yet protected) by Severus Snape, posted a lengthy tribute on his verified Google Plus account.
"Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with. He is also, one of the loyalest 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 theatre stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man."
Emma Watson, who played the clever, quick-witted witch Hermione Granger, said:
{source}<div id="fb-root"></div><script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/emmawatson/posts/1184500511568837" data-width="500"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/emmawatson/posts/1184500511568837"><p>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</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/emmawatson/">Emma Watson</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/emmawatson/posts/1184500511568837">Thursday, January 14, 2016</a></blockquote></div></div>{/source}
Emma Thompson, who played Sybill Trelawney in Harry Potter, and also starred opposite Rickman in Love Actually and many other movies, doesn't have any social media accounts. Still, she managed to get a message out on Twitter anyway. She coursed her message through New York Times reporter David Itzkoff.
Emma said: "Alan was my friend and so this is hard to write because i have just ksised him goodbye.
"What I remember most in this moment of painful leave-taking is his humor, intelligence, wisdom, and kindness. His capacity to fell you with a look or lift you with a word. The intransigence which made him the great artist he was – his ineffable and cynical wit, the clarity with which he saw most things, including me, and the fact that he never spared me the view. I learned a lot form him. He was the finest actors and directors. I couldn't wait to see what he was going to do with his face next. I consider myself hugely privileged to have worked wiht him so many times and to have been directed by him.
"He was the ultimate ally. In life, art, and politics. I trusted him absolutely.
"He was, above all things, a rare and unique human being and we shall not see his like again."
Sir Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, told BBC Radio 4: "Everybody loved Alan. He was always happy and fun and creative and very, very funny. He had a great voice, he spoke wonderfully well. He was intelligent, he wrote plays, he directed a play. So he was a real man of the theater and the stage and that's how I think of Alan."
Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the films, paid tribute to the late actor on Instagram.
{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="http://go.rappler.com/https://www.instagram.com/p/BAhTzI5SMh4/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Alan. The energy shifted every time you walked onto set. You were an inspiration to us all. RIP</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Bonnie Wright (@thisisbwright) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-01-14T13:04:11+00:00">Jan 14, 2016 at 5:04am PST</time></p></div></blockquote>{/source}
Oliver Phelps, who played George Weasley in the series, remembered Rickman, saying that he always put Oliver at ease on set.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Terribly sad news about the passing of Alan Rickman. A funny and engaging person who put a shy young actor at ease when I was on HP.</p>— Oliver Phelps (@OliverPhelps) <a href="https://twitter.com/OliverPhelps/status/687625703865610240">January 14, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
Meanwhile, Oliver's twin, James, echoed Oliver's sentiments, saying that Rickman was one of the nicest actors he'd ever met.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shocked & sad to hear Alan Rickman has passed away. One of the nicest actors I've ever met.Thoughts and prayers with his family at this time</p>— James Phelps (@James_Phelps) <a href="https://twitter.com/James_Phelps/status/687618581102751744">January 14, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy, tweeted this:
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Heartbreaking news about lovely Alan. Nobody else could be as hilarious, tragic, terrifying & truthful all at the same time <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPAlanRickman?src=hash">#RIPAlanRickman</a></p>— Jason Isaacs (@jasonsfolly) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasonsfolly/status/687644952780783616">January 14, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom, shared this poignant message:
{source}
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:42.7194860814% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="http://go.rappler.com/https://www.instagram.com/p/BAhh4qWkQ5r/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">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.</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Matthew Lewis (@realmattdavelewis) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-01-14T15:07:17+00:00">Jan 14, 2016 at 7:07am PST</time></p></div></blockquote>
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Warwick Davis played Professor Flitwick and the goblin Griphook in the Harry Potter movies. He expressed his grief on Twitter:
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So terribly sad to hear of the passing of Alan Rickman. Honoured to have shared the screen with him. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Marvin?src=hash">#Marvin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Snape?src=hash">#Snape</a> He'll be sorely missed.</p>— Warwick Davis (@WarwickADavis) <a href="https://twitter.com/WarwickADavis/status/687635912491167744">January 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The Harry Potter site Pottermore also paid tribute to the late actor.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We’re incredibly sad to hear about the passing of Alan Rickman. Our thoughts are with his family. <a href="https://t.co/efkBra1rCj">pic.twitter.com/efkBra1rCj</a></p>— Pottermore (@pottermore) <a href="https://twitter.com/pottermore/status/687642036116262912">January 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Jamie Campbell Bower, who played Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, remembered Rickman, saying, "I had the pleasure of working with him on my first movie. A true legend and gentleman."
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Devastated to hear about the passing of Alan Rickman. I had the pleasure of working with him on my first movie. A true legend and gentleman.</p>— Jamie Campbell Bower (@Jamiebower) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jamiebower/status/687628145122492416">January 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Comedian and writer Stephen Fry, who narrates the UK editions of the Harry Potter audiobooks, said:
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What desperately sad news about Alan Rickman. A man of such talent, wicked charm & stunning screen & stage presence. He'll be sorely missed</p>— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) <a href="https://twitter.com/stephenfry/status/687619639971561472">January 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Here's a clip of some of Rickman's memorable scenes as Severus Snape:
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– Rappler.com
More Alan Rickman on Rappler:
- British actor Alan Rickman dies
- JK Rowling, 'Harry Potter' cast remember Alan Rickman
- Remembering Alan Rickman: 5 unforgettable roles
- Daniel Radcliffe pays tribute to Alan Rickman
- Stars mourn death of Alan Rickman