Prof. Snape has passed

[john szalay]

LONDON (AP) — British actor Alan Rickman, a classically-trained stage
star and sensual screen villain in the "Harry Potter" saga and other
films, has died. He was 69.

Rickman's family said Thursday that the actor had died after a battle
with cancer.

Trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Rickman was
often cast as the bad guy; with his rich, languid voice he could invest
evil with wicked, irresistible relish.

His breakout role was as scheming French aristocrat the Vicomte de
Valmont in an acclaimed 1985 Royal Shakespeare Company production of
Christopher Hampton's "Les Liaisons Dangereuses."

Film roles included the psychopathic villain Hans Gruber in "Die Hard" in
1988; a deceased lover who consoles his bereaved partner in 1990's "Truly
Madly Deeply"; the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood: Prince of
Thieves" in 1991; and a wayward husband in 2003 romantic comedy "Love
Actually."

Millions know him from the Potter films, in which he played the portions
and defense against the dark arts teacher Severus Snape, who was either a
nemesis or an ally — possibly both — to the titular teenage wizard.

He appeared frequently onstage, earning Tony Award nominations for "Les
Liaisons Dangereuses" in 1987 and Noel Coward's "Private Lives" in 2002.

Rickman was also a filmmaker, directing and co-starring opposite Kate
Winslet in 2014 costume drama "A Little Chaos."

Frequently charming in person, Rickman was, by his own account,
uncompromising as an actor. During the filming of "Harry Potter," he
maintained Snape's air of haughty disdain even off-camera.

"The animal in me takes over," Rickman said in 2011 when he appeared on
Broadway in Theresa Rebeck's play "Seminar."

"You're as polite as possible, but it's not always possible."

Rickman is survived by his partner of 50 years, Rima Horton, whom he
married recently.

[Tim Bruening]

LONDON (AP) — British actor Alan Rickman, a classically-trained stage
star and sensual screen villain in the "Harry Potter" saga and other
films, has died. He was 69.
Rickman's family said Thursday that the actor had died after a battle
with cancer.
Trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Rickman was
often cast as the bad guy; with his rich, languid voice he could invest
evil with wicked, irresistible relish.
His breakout role was as scheming French aristocrat the Vicomte de
Valmont in an acclaimed 1985 Royal Shakespeare Company production of
Christopher Hampton's "Les Liaisons Dangereuses."
Film roles included the psychopathic villain Hans Gruber in "Die Hard" in
1988; a deceased lover who consoles his bereaved partner in 1990's "Truly
Madly Deeply"; the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood: Prince of
Thieves" in 1991; and a wayward husband in 2003 romantic comedy "Love
Actually."
Millions know him from the Potter films, in which he played the portions
and defense against the dark arts teacher Severus Snape, who was either a
nemesis or an ally — possibly both — to the titular teenage wizard.
He appeared frequently onstage, earning Tony Award nominations for "Les
Liaisons Dangereuses" in 1987 and Noel Coward's "Private Lives" in 2002.
Rickman was also a filmmaker, directing and co-starring opposite Kate
Winslet in 2014 costume drama "A Little Chaos."
Frequently charming in person, Rickman was, by his own account,
uncompromising as an actor. During the filming of "Harry Potter," he
maintained Snape's air of haughty disdain even off-camera.
"The animal in me takes over," Rickman said in 2011 when he appeared on
Broadway in Theresa Rebeck's play "Seminar."
"You're as polite as possible, but it's not always possible."
Rickman is survived by his partner of 50 years, Rima Horton, whom he
married recently.

Did Harry Porter come to the funeral?