LONDON -- Alan Rickman, one of the UK's best known actors who has starred in everything from Harry Potter to Die Hard, has died at age 69.
The actor's death was confirmed to Mashable by his reps. He had been suffering from cancer, the Guardian reported.
Friends, fellow actors and others immediately starting posting tributes online.
What desperately sad news about Alan Rickman. A man of such talent, wicked charm & stunning screen & stage presence. He'll be sorely missed— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) January 14, 2016
Rickman studied acting at the Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art (RADA) in the early '70s, going on to work with the Royal Shakespeare Company after graduating. He starred in a variety of TV roles in the late '70s and '80s, including a BBC production of Romeo & Juliet, Smiley's People, an adaptation of a John le Carré novel, and a small screen version of Anthony Trollope‘s The Barchester Chronicles.
In 1985, he played the lead role in an RSC production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses -- but it wasn't until 1988, when he played villain Hans Gruber opposite Bruce Willis in Die Hard, that he shot to international fame. He was offered the part just two days after arriving in LA.
Rickman went on to play a host of other memorable roles, including the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves and Rasputin in Rasputin: Dark Servant Of Destiny.
He's also starred in Sense and Sensibility, Love Actually, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Galaxy Quest and opposite Juliet Stevenson in Truly, Madly, Deeply.
Many fans will remember him as Severus Snape in all eight of the Harry Potter films between 2001 and 2011.
He features in forthcoming thriller Eye In The Sky, with Helen Mirren and Aaron Paul, which is released in the UK on April 8.
Rickman won several awards during his illustrious career, including a BAFTA for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham and a Golden Globe for his part in Rasputin: Dark Servant Of Destiny.
BONUS: 13 astounding Alan Rickman roles that go beyond 'Harry Potter'
[video id=kyZXM2MDE6bGee2vVE8q5POISU_4gMjB]