Alan Rickman, the beloved British actor, has passed away at the age of 69

Rickman's career spanned over four decades, during which he became known for his iconic roles in films such as Die Hard, the Harry Potter series, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Rickman's passing is a great loss to the film industry and to his fans around the world

Alan Rickman, the beloved British actor, has passed away at the age of 69 after a battle with cancer. Rickman's career spanned over four decades, during which he became known for his iconic roles in films such as Die Hard, the Harry Potter series, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Rickman's death was announced by his family in a statement released to the press. The statement said that Rickman had died peacefully in a London hospital, surrounded by his family and friends. Rickman had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015, but he had kept his illness private until recently.

Rickman's passing is a great loss to the film industry and to his fans around the world. He was a gifted actor who brought a unique presence to every role he played. He will be deeply missed.

Rickman was born in London in 1946. He studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began his career on stage in the early 1970s. He made his film debut in 1978 in the film The Promised Land, and went on to appear in over 100 films and television shows.

Some of Rickman's most notable roles include Hans Gruber in Die Hard, Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series, and Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. He also voiced the character of Marvin the Paranoid Android in the BBC radio series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Rickman was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Die Hard, and for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in the stage production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. He also received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Rickman was married to actress Rima Horton from 1977 until his death. The couple had no children.