― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the . Source: Getty Images. Did Snape really kill Dumbledore? Severus Snape, also known as the Half-Blood Prince, is a major character in the Harry Potter franchise. Harry Potter stars have expressed their grief today after the unexpected death of Alan Rickman following his secret battle with cancer. From the Archives: Alan Rickman on his decade as 'Harry Potter's ... Mayall, a British comedic actor known for roles in Blackadder, The New Statesman, and Believe Nothing, among other shows, died at the age of 56 in 2014 after a sudden heart attack while jogging . Harry Potter Fans Are Posting Moving Tributes to Alan Rickman - E! Online The famous person had been struggling with cancer, a declaration announced. See Also: Craig Robinson (actor): Wife, Height, His Bio, and Weight Loss Achievement. Rickman, widely known for his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter franchise, passed away in London surrounded by his family on January 14. Alan Rickman, best known as the scowling Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films, died of cancer Thursday at age 69. After the war ended, she was awarded the Order of Merlin by Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt due to her loyalty to the Order of the Phoenix. Actor Alan Rickman, who captivated audiences in his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films and as the Teutonic villain Hans Gruber in Die Hard, has died in London. Hollywood Mourns Death of British Actor Alan Rickman The British actor, also known for his roles in "Galaxy Quest," "Die . He was 69. When Alan was 8 years old, his father died. Severus Snape - Harry Potter Wiki Alan Rickman's portrayal of the surly but surprisingly nuanced Professor Snape is considered to be one of the most heart-rending performances of not only the Harry Potter franchise, but also of cinema as a whole. The legendary actor died on January 14, 2016, after a battle with cancer, aged 69. Alan Rickman, the British actor who played the brooding Professor Severus Snape in the "Harry Potter" series years after his film debut as the "Die Hard" villain Hans Gruber, died January 14 after .