There was sad news out of the entertainment industry in
January when we learned that the incredible Alan Rickman has passed away. While
Mr. Rickman was known primarily for his film work, he was also a television,
theater and voice over actor. His double bass sound was something truly unique;
he could sound terrifying, intriguing, mysterious, and, oddly, loving all at
once. He was a legend among us, and the acting industry as a whole is less
without him.
Mr. Rickman’s career began on the stage, where he studied
theater in London. His first venture beyond the stage took place in the late
1970s, when he accepted several small television roles. In 1985, he headed back
to theater performances, earning a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of
Vicomte de Valmont in Les Liaisons
Dangereuses. After that, Mr. Rickman shot to fame on the big screen for his
role in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
as the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham, along with the part of Hans Gruber in Die Hard. That success was nothing
compared to what he achieved with the Harry Potter series, though. Rickman
played the part of Severus Snape with uncanny skill and precision, garnering
much critical acclaim for his part in the series.
On the voice over side of things, Mr. Rickman also worked
tirelessly to bring his characters to life. Perhaps his best known voice over
project was that of Marvin the Paranoid Android in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a role which his voice was
uniquely suited for. Other VO work included work on Help! I’m a Fish, King of the
Hill, and Alice in Wonderland.
His final project, Alice Through the
Looking Glass, was also a VO part, and was recorded shortly before his
death.
Mr. Rickman was a true genius in our industry. Whatever project
he was involved with, he owned it, breathing life into his roles and
transforming them into believable characters, whether they were villains,
foolish husbands, or animated figures.
Rest in peace, Mr. Rickman. You were - and still are - an
absolute legend.
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