Harry Potter stars expressed their grief today after the unexpected death of Alan Rickman, who passed away this morning after waging a secret battle with cancer.
The British actor, known for his roles in films such as Robin Hood and Die Hard as well as the magical film franchise, kept his fight with illness private before his death.
J.K. Rowling led the tributes to Rickman today, calling him 'a magnificent actor and a wonderful man', while co-stars including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson described how he had mentored them in the early stages of their careers.
Rickman revealed last year that he had secretly married his partner Rima Horton in a New York ceremony in 2012, 35 years after they first began their relationship.
His family said in a statement today: 'The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends.'
His brother David, 71, added: 'He passed away this morning. He was in a hospital at the time.'
It is not yet known what type of cancer the star suffered from, or how long he was secretly battling the illness.
Rickman, who was born into a working-class family in London, began his acting career on the stage before graduating to Hollywood films.
He became one of the best-known villains in showbiz - appearing as Hans Gruber in Die Hard, the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films.
The actor's other well-known films include Truly, Madly, Deeply, Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually, in which he played the husband of his frequent collaborator Emma Thompson.
J.K. Rowling said on Twitter today: 'There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death. He was a magnificent actor and a wonderful man.
'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.'
Daniel Radcliffe, who was mentored by Rickman during the filming of Harry Potter, described him as one of the most loyal friends you could have in showbusiness.
In a heartfelt online message, the 26-year-old actor said: '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.
'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.
'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 wrote on Facebook: '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.'
Daily Mail
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