Actor Alan Rickman, dead at 69, played heroes and villains

British actor Alan Rickmanhasdied from cancer at 69. Though popular forplaying antagonists in Hollywood blockbusters, asin theHarry Potter series and Die Hard,his career included a diverse cast of characters.

Years before he played opposite Bruce Willis as terroristHans Gruber, Rickmanwas a part of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Heperiodically returned to the theatre throughout his life, even after his success on the big screen.

Heactedaside Emma Thompson as the romantic leadColonel Brandon in 1995'sSense and Sensibility.He alsoplayed herhusband in Love Actually.

Rickman had a deep, resonant voice, which often made him ideal for playing villains, as when he played the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. However,Rickmanhadn't portrayedthat kind of cackling antagonist since the1991 film.

He's been a character actor, jumping into romantic and comedic roles when necessary.

A year after Sense and Sensibility, he playedGrigoriRasputinin the HBOtelevision filmRasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny.

He won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for playing the enigmatic Russian advisor.

Likely his most memorable role was Severus Snapein the Harry Potter film series.

SnapeisHogwarts' potions teacher,with whom the young wizardhasa difficult relationship.

As the series grew into eight films, Rickman got to see itsactors grow up from children to young adults.

Rickman's last widely released filmwasA Little Chaos, which he co-wrote anddirected and in whichhe played King Louis XIV. He's also recently appeared in Eye in the Sky, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, though his final film will be Alice Through the Looking Glass, to be released in May.