British actor Alan Rickman has passed away today, January 14, 2016. This unfortunate Thursday morning, Rickman’s family informed the public of his passing from cancer at age 69.

Rickman was best known for his roles as Hans Gruber in the 1988 film Die Hard and Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films. No one can deny he portrayed Professor Snape, one of the most controversial characters in literature and film, perfectly. Rickman delivered the role spectacularly – from Snape’s greasy, black hair to his vile nature and vulnerability. Jason Isaacs, one of Rickman’s co-stars, sums him up the best: “Nobody else could be as hilarious, tragic, terrifying and truthful all at the same time.”

Rickman also starred in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, the 1995 film Rasputin, and in 2003’s Love, Actually. According to the Guardian, Rickman also directed the 1995 Scottish drama The Winter Guest and the 2014 film A Little Chaos starring Kate Winslet. He directed many plays, starred in many more films, and previously worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Although death is never a reason to celebrate, it is incredibly more devastating that something as evil as cancer killed one of the most beloved and admired English actors of the time.

Professor Snape is my favorite character in the Harry Potter novels, and every time I read about him I picture Alan Rickman in my head. I admit to shedding a few tears when I learned of Rickman’s passing; the magical world won’t be the same without him. J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter novels, was among the first to comment on his death.

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.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 14, 2016

Daniel Radcliffe, another of Rickman’s co-stars, also shared his thoughts via Google+, paying tribute by sadly saying that Rickman was one of the “loyalest and most supportive people…extremely kind, generous, self-deprecating and funny.” Radcliffe ended by assuring that “film sets and theatre stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man.” HMSA senior Elvia Ochoa says Rickman’s death is “very sad and tragic.”

I mourned Rickman’s death by watching a couple Harry Potter films, although I’m not sure if that was the best idea, for I could not look at the television screen without tearing up.

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“After all this time? Always.” Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows