News of Alan Rickman’s death has reached his former co-stars and colleagues, who have begun to share anecdotes and praise for the late actor. Emma Thompson was a longtime friend of Rickman’s, having co-starred with him in three Harry Potter films as well as Sense And Sensibility, Love Actually, and Judas Kiss. In a tribute to Rickman, Thompson notes his humor, kindness, and “cynical wit.”
“Alan was my friend and so this is hard to write because I have just kissed him goodbye. What I remember most in this moment of painful leave-taking is his humour, intelligence, wisdom and kindness. The intransigence which made him the great artist he was—his ineffable and cynical wit, the clarity with which he saw most things, including me, and the fact that he never spared me the view.”
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling expressed her shock and dismay on Twitter, describing Rickman as a “magnificent actor and wonderful man.”
Emma Watson, who portrayed Hermione, one of Hogwarts’ brightest students, mourned Rickman in a Facebook post, deeming herself lucky to have worked with him.
Daniel Radcliffe, who played the Boy Who Lived opposite Rickman’s Snape for 10 years, remembered the late actor as one of the “most supportive people” he’d ever known, in addition to being one of the greatest actors he’d ever worked with. You can read the rest of Radcliffe’s post below.
Fellow Brits Eddie Izzard and Stephen Fry also deplored of the “desperately sad news” of the loss of a “hero.”
Matthew Lewis, who also played one of Rickman’s Hogwarts’ charges, shared a photo on Instagram of himself with the late actor, along with the initial awe he felt when working with Rickman on the Harry Potter movies. Oliver and James Phelps, the erstwhile Weasley twins, also shared their sadness over Rickman’s death.
Tumblr, which likely houses innumerable gifs and posts dedicated to Snape’s complexity, paid its respects to Rickman as well.
Jamie Lee Curtis, William Shatner, and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda mourned the late actor online as well, while Debra Messing expressed her frustration over the disease that caused Rickman’s death.