Alan Rickman — who became an overnight star with Bruce Willis as the suave villain in 1988’s “Die Hard — is dead at the age of 69!
He had been suffering from cancer.
Alan was already a popular stage and screen actor in his native England before he became an overnight sensation as the villainous Hans Gruber in “Die Hard.”
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That role suddenly allowed Rickman to enjoy a career indulging his serious ambitions with fun Hollywood roles — including a memorable turn opposite Kevin Costner as the Sheriff of Nottingham in 1991’s “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.”
Alan then discovered a new generation of fans as Professor Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” film series.
He had lesser luck with his turn as President Ronald Reagan in 2013’s “The Butler,” with The ENQUIRER catching costar Jane Fonda (who played Nancy Reagan) complaining that their best scenes had been left on the cutting room floor.
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Sadly, Alan passed away on the same morning that the 2016 Academy Awards nominations were being announced.
That was a cruel reminder to many fans that Rickman had never received an Oscar nomination over the years.
“He’s the greatest living British actor to have never been nominated,” said one leading UK film critic.
