On January 14, 2016 the esteemed actor Alan Rickman passed away, surrounded by friends and family. He had been battling cancer and was 69 years old.

Rickman began his film career at the age of 41 with the movie "Die Hard." Prior to this, he had acted in various other television and theatre productions. He was in many movies including: "Sense and Sensibility," "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," "Sweeney Todd," "Love Actually," and "Gambit." Perhaps his most notable role, however, was the decade-long one of Severus Snape in the "Harry Potter" series.

Rickman as Judge Turpin in "Sweeney Todd"

Rickman had only read the first three books when he signed on for the whole movie series. It was the author of the series, JK Rowling, who convinced him of it. She shared a secret with Rickman that gave depth to Severus Snape and, with the knowledge of who Snape really was, he was able to perform that character better than any other actor could have.

One of the most pivotal moments in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"

His death has hit the "Harry Potter" community hard, from his fellow film actors to all of the series' beloved fans. Instagram and Twitter tributes have been shared by actors and civilians alike, showing that Rickman was highly respected, admired, and loved in his field.

Author of the "Harry Potter" series JK Rowling's Twitter tribute to Rickman

When I was a freshman in high school, I had an indirect interaction with Rickman that means more to me now than it ever has before. He was in New York City, acting in the Broadway show "Seminar," and I decided to write him a fan letter. I figured that it would be cheaper to send a letter to New York, compared to across the pond. So I sat down and wrote Rickman a four-page letter thanking him for accepting the role of Snape because Snape was my favorite book character from the first time I read the series when I was seven years old. I sent it off, not expecting a reply (since actors are busy), but six days later I got a response. There was no note, but he had signed a photo for me (addressed specifically to me, so it clearly wasn't a generic stamp). I was so excited! My favorite "Harry Potter" actor had actually signed a photo for me. I had always dreamed of someday meeting Rickman, but, now that that dream is impossible, I will cherish the photo for as long as I live. Rickman gave his whole self to being an actor. He was known to say that the art of acting was "too, too hard" to explain. He was always willing to share acting tips with the younger "Harry Potter" stars, something that Daniel Radcliffe (who played title character of Harry Potter) has mentioned in countless interviews across the last fifteen years.

"To Nellie Alan Rickman" reads this autographed photo that he sent me in 2012

His final film, "Alice Through the Looking Glass," is set to release in March of this year. I will certainly be seeing it.

January 14 was a very sad day for "Harry Potter" fans and general movie-goers everywhere. Rickman's contributions to the acting world will not be soon forgotten. Today and forever we raise our wands for Alan Rickman.