Daniel Radcliffe, J.K. Rowling, and More Pay Tribute to Alan Rickman

Following the news that British actor Alan Rickman passed away Thursday from cancer at the age of 69, various celebrities expressed their grief and paid tribute to him.

One of Rickman’s most famous roles was as Professor Severus Snape for all eight films of the Harry Potter franchise. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling tweeted about the news:

Daniel Radcliffe posted a touching tribute to Rickman on his Google+ page and discussed working with him on the Harry Potter set:

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 Thompson, who was a frequent co-star of his, having appeared alongside him in the Harry Potter films, Love Actually, Sense & Sensibility, Judas Kiss, and The Song of Lunch, released a statement:

Alan was my friend and so this is hard to write because I have just kissed him goodbye,” Thompson said in statement. “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 from him.

He was the finest of 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 with 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.

Emma Watson posted on Facebook:

James and Oliver Phelps, who played the Weasley twins in Harry Potter, also tweeted:

Bonnie Wright and Matthew Lewis, who portrayed Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films respectively, shared photos on Instagram:

Alan. The energy shifted every time you walked onto set. You were an inspiration to us all. RIP

A photo posted by Bonnie Wright (@thisisbwright) on Jan 14, 2016 at 5:04am PST

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 photo posted by Matthew Lewis (@realmattdavelewis) on Jan 14, 2016 at 7:07am PST

Kate Winslet, who worked with Rickman in Sense and Sensibility and A Little Chaos, said:

We are all so devastated to lose Alan. He was loved enormously by so many. He was an exceptionally warm and giving man and an utterly phenomenal actor and gifted director. I remember being so intimidated by him when we worked together when I was 19 , because he had such a powerful and commanding presence . And that voice! Oh, that voice….. But the reality of course, was that he was the kindest and best of men. Had the patience of a saint. He was a warm hearted puppy dog, who would do anything for anyone if it made them happy. He was a loving and devoted partner to Rima, and like so many of us in our vast industry, my life was enriched by knowing him. My heart goes out to his family and those he loved.

Sigourney Weaver, who starred alongside him in Galaxy Quest and Snow Cake, released this statement:

Alan’s enormous strength of character infused every role he played. Who else could have brought such pain and wit to Severus Snape? He used his talent always to make a difference, his production My Name Is Rachel Corrie being one of the most powerful examples.

A slew of various celebrities reacted to the news on Twitter:

Rickman is survived by his wife, Rima Horton. His final film Alice Through the Looking Glass will be released in May.