'Harry Potter' star Alan Rickman dies aged 69

Veteran British actor Alan Rickman, a master of the menacing screen villain, has died at the age of 69 after suffering from cancer, his family said Thursday.

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'Harry Potter' star Alan Rickman dies aged 69

AFP – Veteran British actor Alan Rickman, a master of the menacing screen villain, has died at the age of 69 after suffering from cancer, his family said Thursday.

The Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning film, television and theatre star possessed a rich, smooth voice and brooding delivery that helped make him a sex symbol as well as an archetypal "baddie" actor.

In a statement, the actor's family said he died "surrounded by family and friends".

In contrast to his often sneering and supercilious screen persona, fellow actors lamented the death of a warm, witty and generous friend.

"What I remember most in this moment of painful leave-taking is his humour, intelligence, wisdom and kindness," said actress Emma Thompson, who played alongside Rickman in Christmas-themed romantic comedy movie "Love Actually".

Actor Ian McKellan said Rickman and his partner of 50 years Rima Horton were always top of his "dream-list dinner guests".

"Alan would by turns be hilarious and indignant and gossipy and generous," he said.

Rickman started out in British theatre and shot to international fame in 1988 playing opposite Bruce Willis as the German terrorist mastermind Hans Gruber in "Die Hard".

But he gained legions of younger fans with his portrayal of the largely malicious teacher Severus Snape in all eight "Harry Potter" films from 2001 to 2011.

Potter's creator J. K. Rowling said she was "shocked and devastated" to hear of his death.
"He was a magnificent actor and a wonderful man... We have all lost a great talent

Rickman's death comes just months ahead of the release of a new film called "Eye in the Sky" in which he stars alongside Helen Mirren and Aaron Paul.

The "Alice in Wonderland" sequel "Alice Through the Looking Glass" is also due for release later this year.

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