Actor Alan Rickman has passed away after suffering from cancer, at age 69.

The Guardian has reported that Rickman's death has been confirmed by his family.


Alan Rickman has been one of the most well loved British actors since 1988, when he starred as the villain Hans Gruber in Die Hard. In more recent times, he has found huge success playing Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series.

He was also a very successful stage actor and director, finding work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and being nominated for a Tony for his role in Les Liaisons Dangereuses.