Born on November 21, 1944. With the world collectively recovering from the death of David Bowie, the culture scene was hit with another devastating blow: British actor Alan Rickman died Thursday from cancer at the age of 69.. Rickman's illustrious career has seen him undergo many versatile roles; depending on your age, you may associate him as the villainous Hans Gruber in Die Hard, the charming Colonel Brandon in Sense . Harry Potter Cast Members You May Not Know Passed Away The character of the Master would die and regenerate into a new body, another staple of the show. Alan Rickman dies: Actor was unaware of severity of cancer until just ... Ranking the Major Deaths in Harry Potter from "Good Riddance" to "Hold Me" The Guardian reports that the actor had been suffering from cancer, and his death from the disease comes only four days after iconic British singer David Bowie passed away from the same cause. The family of Harry Potter star Alan Rickman has announced his death at the age of 69. Did Snape properly abandon the death eater ideology during the ... - reddit Alan Rickman: The Cause of His Death, His Legacy, and Other Facts About ... 10 reasons why Alan Rickman's Severus Snape is actually the best ... On Thursday, January 14, the family of British actor Alan Rickman confirmed he had died at the age of 69. Last Name: Ramis. British actor Alan Rickman, whose career ranged from Britain's Royal Shakespeare Company to the Harry Potter films, has died. A spokesman for the London-based Independent Talent Group confirmed his death. Hollywood Mourns Death of British Actor Alan Rickman Daniel Radcliffe shared a touching tribute after Rickman's death from cancer. Matej Divizna/Getty Images. Acclaimed British actor Alan Rickman, who played Snape in the Harry Potter film series, has died at the age of 69. . Alan Rickman was born on a council estate in Acton, West London, to Margaret Doreen Rose (Bartlett), of English and Welsh descent, and Bernard Rickman, of Irish descent, who worked at a factory.