A glacial stare. A courage-breaking sneer. A velvet voice that could out-purr a cat.
You remember the characters portrayed by the late Alan Rickman. From the camp to the menacing, they were crafted around a formidable skill set that saw Rickman become the "secret" crush of many.
The world will sorely miss the talents of this great actor - a man who treated his craft with utmost respect. As we head off in search of our battered DVD of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, here's the man in his own words.
(Images: Rex)
On the importance of actors (The Guardian, 2008)
"Actors are agents of change. A film, a piece of theatre, a piece of music, or a book can make a difference. It can change the world."
On the simple aspects of fame
"I'm still living the life where you get home and open the fridge and there's half a pot of yogurt and a half a can of flat Coca-Cola."
On his love of Snape
"The number of people who followed Snape's story as also a member of a reading audience is also a testament to Rowling's skills I think. And frankly, every time i put that costume on something weird took over. It's the only character and I suppose by my own instance really, never changed his costume over 10 years. Everybody else grew up or had different kinds of outfits. Never Snape and you sort of got the feeling that's the only thing he's got hanging in his wardrobe."
In an interview with John Lahr (The Guardian)
"I'm a Piscean. In every area of my life complete opposites are at work all the time. I stagger myself sometimes. Who is this person? The 'you' who can't organize picking up the laundry - and you know that 'you' very well - watches the other one in a rehearsal situation and says, 'Who is this person who has all these
ideas and all this invention?' There's a very, very instinctive person and a very, very practical person. It depends on what time of day it is, I think."
A personal philosophy
"I think there's some connection between absolute discipline and absolute freedom."
A lasting connection with films
"A movie is two hours to most. For me, it’s maybe three or six months. It’s a lump of your life with some people somewhere. I remember that aspect more than the movie really."
An observation on art
"If only life could be a little more tender and art a little more robust."
His legacy
"If people want to know who I am, it is all in the work."
Rickman at the Toronto International Film Festival, 2014
"Talent is an accident of genes - and a responsibility. You are given this thing and everybody has talent... mine just happens to be for acting and that creates a situation like this. It is a strange and powerful responsibility."
On his peers
"What is it about actors? God knows I get bored with actors talking about themselves."
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