There are some performances that just stay with you, and as an actor there are roles who’s shadow they can never quite clear. Though in some cases, those roles can become legendary. I will always know Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber his first feature film role in “Die Hard”, where he played a terrorist who had to go up against the great John McClane. It was here in 1988 that cemented him in the category of top villains of all time. He was the character by which all other bad guys were measured by me. He still did a few more villainous roles like in “Quigley Down Under” and “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” though none better than Gruber. Most of the younger generation will remember him solely as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films, which is fine, his character after all had the best arc. He was also allowed to shine in Kevin Smith’s “Dogma” as the voice of God, and as an aging Spock-like character in “Galaxy Quest”. With that utterly recognizable voice, and serious stare, he possessed a gift not used nearly enough in cinema, and it saddens me knowing he had so much more to give. You will be missed Mr. Rickman.
–Robert L. Castillo