# Alan Rickman dies at 69 of cancer **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 14, 2016, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124 "2016-01-14T13:00:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/41 "2016-01-14T15:03:53Z")
Didn’t he get a late start with acting? Then there’s [this little meme](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYrpJcSUQAA8i2T.jpg), if you’re not sobbing already. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/42 "2016-01-14T15:05:33Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I just wanted to mention his appearance in _[Dogma](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDJq0bNJbQA)_, one of my favorite films. “We used up three Adams before we figured that out . . .” ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/43 "2016-01-14T15:07:34Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > He was the only reason to watch Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, but he was a very good reason to do so. The combination of Rickman as the extremely histrionic Sheriff and Costner as a cardboard Hood had me rooting for the bad guys. > > His was one of those names I took as guarantee that the movie might be good, bad or in between, but at least one of the actors would be thoroughly enjoyable to watch. I was just going to mention that. He was amazing and I will miss that voice and that diction so badly. Such a shock and sadness. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/44 "2016-01-14T15:18:45Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > That was a great little scene. He lists the various terrorist groups whose members he wants released from prison and when he mentions Asian Dawn, the henchman (played by Alexander Godunov, I think) looks quizzical, as if he’s thinking, “Who the hell are they?” Yes! ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/45 "2016-01-14T15:19:32Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Rickman was terrific in every role he’s been in. I especially liked him in **Truly, Madly, Deeply** as a romantic lead. That was the one I was coming here to mention. Most movie fans only know him as a villain, but he was wonderful in this film. Another favorite small role in _[The January Man](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097613/)_, unlike the majority of his work. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/46 "2016-01-14T15:21:52Z")
Shit. British musician Ian Fraser Kilmister, AKA Lemmy, died at 70 years and 4 days… of cancer. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/47 "2016-01-14T15:25:35Z")
I still think he was robbed of the Best Supporting Actor nod in the Harry Potter films. He was the perfect blend of fighting for Harry and hating him, while never leaving us quite entirely sure of either. That’s not an easy role to pull off, and he did it flawlessly. ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/48 "2016-01-14T15:26:45Z")
It’s as if my heart has been cut out [with a spoon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhfuuKiTcYQ). RIP. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/49 "2016-01-14T15:31:05Z")
He was even great in QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER, as a guy who clearly _sees_ himself as being the kind of menacing cattle-baron bad guy he’s read about in dime-store western novels, but who is _just as clearly_ a beer or two away from clapping his hands excitedly at the fanboy-squeal-inducing prospect of watching a real-life no-foolin’ gunslinger get backed into a quick-draw showdown at high noon. I don’t say he actually claps his hands excitedly while squealing like a fanboy, because any actor could do that. I say he’s keeping it under wraps, which is a cute trick. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/50 "2016-01-14T15:34:34Z")
He always seemed like a great person & I loved his performances. RIP, Alan. Never met him & I have no idea what he would have thought of me here. What would he say? “Blucher…? Not that old… military guy…” ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/51 "2016-01-14T15:38:23Z")
Moment of silence for Mr. Rickman on three. I will count to three. There will not be a four. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/52 "2016-01-14T15:39:59Z")
Fuck no! Dammit this one hurts, I really liked him. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/53 "2016-01-14T15:50:10Z")
Rickman was so good, he made other actors look good, as well. A TV movie, “[Something The Lord Made](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386792/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_28),” starred him, and his co-star–Mos Def–was just as good; if you can find it, it’s well worth the look. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/54 "2016-01-14T15:51:47Z")
I am not ashamed to say I had tears in my eyes when I was reading about it this morning. I am really going to miss him, he was an amazing actor. And damn sexy to boot. My dream of having an Alan Rickman-voiced GPS is forever gone. ☹ David Bowie made me sad but I never was as great a fan of him as I was of Rickman. Rest in peace…thank you for all of the wonderful entertainment. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/55 "2016-01-14T15:53:38Z")
In addition to all his great work already mentioned, I really like his role in _Love Actually_, which I watched once again this holiday season. Such a terrific actor. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/56 "2016-01-14T15:56:51Z")
Posted with the greatest possible respect: [Benedict Cumberbatch and Jimmy Fallon do competing Rickman impersonations](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnbN3Pya_AM#t=45s). [Alan Rickman’s response](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgxwLQsM0iM). ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/57 "2016-01-14T15:58:28Z")
This is worse than Bowie, for me; while I recognized his talent, I wasn’t hugely moved by Bowie’s music (except for _Space Oddity_). But I liked Alan Rickman in just about every role I saw him play. Such a talent, and taken from us far too soon. Damn, got dust in my eye… > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > I am an _exceptional_ actor, Mr. Writer. > > RIP. I can’t think of a role he was in, no matter the movie, that he didn’t stand out. Poor Bruce Willis. Acting opposite Rickman in _Die Hard_ must have been like driving a Smartcar while trying to keep pace with a Lotus. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/58 "2016-01-14T15:58:42Z")
God. Dammit. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/59 "2016-01-14T16:01:15Z")
Fuck it. I’m sending 2016 back for a refund. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-of-cancer/743124/60 "2016-01-14T16:05:06Z")
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