Actor Alan Rickman, known for films including Harry Potter, Die Hard, Truly Madly Deeply and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, has died at the age of 69.

The star was suffering from cancer, his family said.

He became one of Britain's best-loved acting stars thanks to roles including Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films and Hans Gruber in Die Hard.

He also won a BAFTA Award for playing the Sheriff of Nottingham in 1991's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

A family statement said: "The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends."

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Calm, quiet, smooth, devastating

Yep: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35313604

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On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

RIP Alan Rickman. That seems awfully young to be gone already. Your legacy, however, will live on for a very long time, I'm sure.