London-born star Rickman has died in hospital aged 69 surrounded by his family, after battling cancer in secretHe was known for his roles in Harry Potter, Robin Hood and Love Actually as well as a successful stage career
His final two films, a drone drama and animated movie, have yet to come out and will be released later this year
Friend Emma Thompson implied she was with him hours before he died, saying: 'I have just kissed him goodbye'
Dead at 69: Alan Rickman, pictured at one of the last times he was seen in public, at the play Hangmen in London on December 7Harry Potter stars have expressed their grief today after the unexpected death of Alan Rickman following his secret battle with cancer.
The British actor, known for his roles in films such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Die Hard as well as the wizarding film franchise, kept his fight with illness private before his death at 69 this morning.
The actor's other well-known films include Truly, Madly, Deeply, Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually, in which he played the husband of his frequent collaborator Emma Thompson, who was a close friend.
Thompson was among those paying tribute today, and implied she was with him hours before he died, saying: 'I have just kissed him goodbye.'
And JK Rowling led the tributes to Rickman, calling him 'a magnificent actor and a wonderful man', while co-stars including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson told how he had mentored them early on in their careers.
The 50-year-old Potter author tweeted: 'There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death.
'He was a magnificent actor and a wonderful man. 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.'
Radcliffe, 26, who starred in the Potter films as Harry, added: 'Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with.'
Rickman revealed last year that he had secretly married his partner Rima Horton in New York in 2012, 35 years after they began their relationship.
A family statement said: 'The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends.'
His brother David, 71, added: 'He passed away this morning. He was in a hospital at the time.'
It is not yet known what type of cancer the London-born star suffered from, or how long he was secretly battling the illness.
Rickman, who was born into a working-class family in Hammersmith, began his acting career on the stage before graduating to Hollywood films.
He became one of the best-known villains in showbiz - appearing as Hans Gruber in Die Hard, the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Professor Snape in the Potter films.
Radcliffe, who was mentored by Rickman during the filming of Potter, said he was one of the most loyal friends anyone could have in showbusiness.
In a heartfelt online message, the actor said: 'Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with. He is also, one of the loyalest and most supportive people I've ever met in the film industry. Film sets and theatre stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3399233/Actor-Alan-Rickman-69-died-cancer-family-confirmed.html#ixzz3xFf5K500
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