A decade has passed since the world lost Alan Rickman, the esteemed actor celebrated for his captivating performances, whether as the sharp-tongued Professor Snape in the Harry Potter series or as the memorable antagonist Hans Gruber in Die Hard.
This week, the entertainment industry is honoring Rickman’s legacy, marking ten years since his passing in 2016 at the age of 69.
At the time of his death, Rickman’s family released a statement revealing that the actor had been diagnosed with cancer, as reported by the BBC.
Tom Felton, who portrayed Draco Malfoy alongside Rickman’s Snape in the Harry Potter films and has continued the role on stage in Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, shared a heartfelt remembrance of Rickman in The Guardian. He recounted a daily act of kindness that Rickman performed on set.
“When I think about Alan, a smile always comes to my face,” Felton expressed.
Initially intimidated by Rickman’s portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Felton and his fellow young actors soon found themselves under Rickman’s supportive guidance.
“He was nothing but kind, genuine, seemingly unfazed by anything happening around us and always had time for everyone. I learned just as much – if not more – from Alan off-camera as I did when we were filming,” Felton noted.
Felton recounted Rickman’s choice to forgo having meals delivered to his trailer, opting instead to wait in line for his own food. “He queued up for his own breakfast and lunch, head to toe in his Snape costume and wig, holding a plastic tray and waiting his turn in the usually very long line behind a carpenter, set decorator, burly cameraman and Gringotts goblin – an image I will never forget,” Felton wrote.
While many actors might have resisted mingling with the crew, Felton believed Rickman was setting an example by demonstrating that everyone on set was “all in this together. Equally.”
The 38-year-old also shared how Rickman taught him about charity, mentioning Rickman’s frequent visits from guests he claimed were “cousins or friends” but were actually terminally ill children and their families getting a peek behind the scenes.
Last year, Daniel Radcliffe shared how Rickman supported his post-Potter career, despite initially being ‘terrified’ of the actor known for his role in Galaxy Quest.
During an interview with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Radcliffe reflected on Rickman’s imposing presence: “I was so intimidated by Alan Rickman. How can you not be by that voice? Even hearing that voice, you forget quite how low it was until it echoes through you.”
Radcliffe admitted to being scared of Rickman for the first few films, feeling that “this guy hates me.” However, Rickman eventually recognized Radcliffe’s dedication to acting.
The Kill Your Darlings actor also remembered Rickman shortening a trip to Canada to watch him perform in Equus, noting, “He saw every piece of stage work I did when he was alive.”