Remembering Alan Rickman
Today we acknowledge a really terrible loss.” ~ Albus Dumbledore, Goblet of Fire (film)
Alan Rickman has passed away from cancer at 69. We’ve lost two amazing artists in one week, and the entertainment world may never fully recover. It’s such a shock to everyone, and here at MuggleNet, we are deeply saddened by this news.
I first saw Alan Rickman as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet. My seven-year-old self did not understand the impact this man would have in my life. The next year, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone came out, and I found my handsome Capulet playing my favorite character from the books. He played the Potions professor perfectly, with just the right amount of wit and sarcasm, and made sure that no one else could ever be seen as Severus Snape.
My love for him grew over the next decade as I devoured every movie he appeared in, Blow Dry, Dogma, Bottle Shock, Galaxy Quest, Sense and Sensibility, Snow Cake, Love Actually, Sweeney Todd, and many more. I’ve even seen most of the old TV shows he appeared in. When I was in high school, he directed a production of Creditors at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. I got the opportunity to see him in person when he gave an Artist Talk before the show. His work inspired me to start writing and acting and even dabble in directing.
Alan Rickman perfectly embodied each character he played. The quality of a movie improved the instant he appeared on the screen. He worked with many outstanding actors, but he managed to stand out in his own wonderful way. We will never again find someone as equally talented at playing the villain and the love interest in quite the same way as Mr. Rickman. No one could possibly fill his shoes. We’ve lost Professor Snape, Hans Gruber, Judge Turpin, Marvin, Tybalt, Colonel Brandon, and the Caterpillar. We’ve lost a wonderful man who supported many charities and foundations. My thoughts go out to his wife, family, friends, and fans.
When I saw the news, I couldn’t believe it, and I still don’t completely believe that this can be true. It is time to send 2016 back and demand a refund.
We’ll always remember you, Professor.
