"Professor Snape" Loses Cancer Battle

Actor Alan Rickman once said, "Talent is an accident of genes -- and responsibility."

Rickman's "accidental" talent was beloved by many, which is why social media is blowing up with the news of his untimely death.

His dream was not always to be an actor, as he attended Chelsea College of Art and Design and Royal College of Art, which landed him a job as a graphic designer for the Notting Hill Herald.

Rickman eventually opened up his own graphic design studio, but after three years, realized that theater was his calling. He auditioned and was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, thus beginning his 40-year career in theater, and later, film.

His break out role was his portrayal of Vicomte de Valmont in the stage production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, from which he was nominated for a Tony Award.

A member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Rickman has performed in plays such as Romeo and Juliet and As You Like It. However, some of his most notable roles include Hans Gruber in Die Hard and Severus Snape in the Harry Potter film series.

Rickman's role in Die Hard earned him a spot on the AFI's "100 Years...100 Heroes and Villains" as the 46th Best Villain in History.

His villainous role as Professor Snape in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 earned Rickman an MTV World Cup Award, a People's Choice Award, a San Diego Film Critics Society Award, and a Scream Award.

Additionally, Rickman was chosen number 34 in Empire's "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History" and number 59 in the "Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time."

The Harry Potter actor had one girlfriend his entire life, Rima Horton, whom he began living with in 1977. After 35 years together, they married in a private ceremony in 2012, and remained together until his death.

Alan Rickman passed away from cancer at the age of 69 on January 14, 2016, just shortly before his 70th birthday. He leaves behind his wife and many devastated fans and former co-actors.

May he rest in peace.

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