If "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling and the rest of the movie's cast and fans can only raise their wands and shoot sparks into the air just like they did when the characters mourned Professor Albus Dumbledore's death in the series, they would undoubtedly be doing the same thing now for Alan Rickman, the actor who played Professor Severus Snape.
Rickman passed away at 69 years old due to cancer, and his passing really broke the hearts of everybody who worked with him.
"There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death. He was a magnificent actor & a wonderful man," tweeted Rowling. "My thoughts are with Rima and the rest of Alan's family. We have all lost a great talent. They have lost part of their hearts."
"Harry Potter" lead star Daniel Radcliffe wrote an extensive eulogy for the late actor, and even called Rickman "one of the greatest actors I will ever work with."
Even though Harry and Snape dislike each other in the series, the same cannot be said in real life. Radcliffe simply adores Rickman and described him as "one of the loyalest and most supportive people I've ever met in the film industry." Even after the movies wrapped up, Radcliffe said that Rickman remained supportive of his career.
"People create perceptions of actors based on the parts they played so it might surprise some people to learn that contrary to some of the sterner (or downright scary) characters he played, Alan was extremely kind, generous, self-deprecating and funny. And certain things obviously became even funnier when delivered in his unmistakable double-bass," he shared.
"As an actor he was one of the first of the adults on Potter to treat me like a peer rather than a child," Radcliffe added. "Working with him at such a formative age was incredibly important and I will carry the lessons he taught me for the rest of my life and career. Film sets and theatre stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man."
His co-star Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger tweeted a shorter remembrance of Rickman.
"I'm very sad to hear about Alan today," she said. "I feel so lucky to have worked and spent time with such a special man and actor. I'll really miss our conversations. RIP Alan. We love you."
After which, Watson posted a photo of Rickman with a quote that supports feminism: "There is nothing wrong with a man being a feminist, I think it is to our mutual advantage."
On the other hand, Neville Longbottom actor Matthew Lewis wrote that Rickman offered him the best advice when it comes to the acting profession, although he did not share what it was.
"I was at Leavesden Studios today when I heard the news. As I walked through the canteen I thought of Alan queuing up for his lunch with us mere mortals. I recalled the trailer in which he offered me some of the greatest advice I ever received about this mad profession we shared. Being back in those corridors made me remember a lot of things and I will treasure those memories all my life. He inspired my career more than he ever knew and I'll miss him," he said.
