Another celebrity death has surprised Hollywood and made a lot of people sad. Just days after the news of David Bowie’s death broke out, news of another untimely passing has taken over the internet – Alan Rickman, a legendary actor and a staple of the British acting community, has passed away. He was 69.

The death of one of the greatest actors of our time, and definitely one of the most majestic voices that ever graced the big screen, was sadly announced by the actor’s family on Thursday, January 14th. As it was reported, the veteran actor has been privately battling cancer, and sadly, lost.

Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman had 68 film and TV credits to his name, which include two hugely popular movie franchises, Die Hard and the blockbuster Harry Potter franchise, and one of the most notable rom-coms ever created, Love Actually. Apart from his roles as Hans Gruber, Severus Snape, and Harry, Rickman had excellent performances as Sheriff George of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (for which he won a BAFTA in 1991), and as Rasputin in made-for-TV movie Rasputin (for which he won an Emmy). When asked why he always plays villains, he once replied that he “doesn’t play villains… he only plays interesting characters.”

The director decided he wanted to be an actor at the age of 26. After graduating from the Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art he worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Prior to reaching fame relatively late in life at the age of 41, Rickman has been in several productions in London’s West End and on Broadway. His most recent work was on the sequel to 2010’s Alice In Wonderland, Alice Through The Looking Glass, for which he once again voiced the Blue Caterpillar.

The iconic actor married his love of more than 50 years Rima Horton in 2012. He finally confirmed the union last year in April. According to the actor himself, the long-lasting couple tied the knot in New York, after which they “walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and ate lunch.”

He will be remembered always.