By Ian Bonham

In the midst of writing an article about Bowie in the Movies, I find I have to pause for a moment to take on another article that is also heart-breaking to me.

Screen and stage legend Alan Rickman died yesterday of cancer.

Aged just 69, Rickman leaves behind an amazing body of film work which will continue to be enjoyed and appreciated for years to come.

He started working after studying Graphic Design in Chelsea, opening a Graphic Design business, 'Graphiti', with friends. However, his love of theatre led him to audition for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art aged 26.

He began his acting career in theatre, but, to most people my age, he became a big name starring alongside Bruce Willis in the original “Die Hard” movie in 1988. This was also his first movie and would lead to a further 40 movies over his time. Rickman is quoted as saying he almost turned down the role of Hans Gruber in “Die Hard”, but his suggestions to the Producer Joel Silver about the interpretation of the character were taken on board. He played an iconic villain in an iconic action film and, with it, Rickman became known for being a perfect movie 'baddie'. 

Movies from the comedic “Galaxy Quest” to the musical “Sweeny Todd” showed what a range of amazing characters Rickman could bring to life. He will be forever known to most readers though for his wonderful portray of Professor Snape in the “Harry Potter” series of movies. It is impossible to think of any other actor who could have played that role so perfectly.

There are still two remaining films to be released which he stars in: first will be “Eye in the Sky” on the 8^th April; a movie about military drone aircraft being used in Kenya. He shares the screen with Helen Mirren and Aaron Paul. Finally (and that is difficult to contemplate) on the 27^th May he returns to Wonderland in “Alice through the Looking Glass”, providing his considerable vocal talents to the Blue Caterpillar.

Alan Rickman has been a stalwart of my cinema-going life, and saying goodbye to him is deeply upsetting, especially in the same week as David Bowie. He leaves a legacy of wonderful cinema, both as an actor as I talk about here, but also as a writer, director and producer. To see his writing or directing skills I point you toward “A Little Chaos” or “The Winter Guest”, both wonderful films.

Dear Alan Rickman, you will be sorely missed, and Thank You for the wonderful legacy you leave.

Finally, if you have been affected by the loss of both Bowie and Rickman to cancer this week, may I suggest you might like to make a small donation to Cancer Relief Gibraltar, working to help others with this terrible illness. Thank You.

http://www.cancerrelief.gi/

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