Emma Thompson has paid tribute to her frequent co-star Alan Rickman, following the sad news that he has died at the of 69.
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Alan’s family announced his death on Thursday, and Emma, who worked with the actor on ‘Love, Actually’ and a series of other projects, has now shared her sadness at the news.
Emma and Alan have known each other for decades
In a statement issued to New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff, Emma has paid her respects to Alan, praising both his professionalism and “humour, intelligence, wisdom and kindness”.
She wrote: “Alan was my friend and so this is hard to write because I have just kissed him goodbye.
“What I remember most in this moment of painful leave-taking is his humour, intelligence, wisdom and kindness. His capacity to fell you with a look or lift you with a word.
“The intransigence which made him the great artist he was—his ineffable and cynical wit, the clarity with which he saw most things, including me, and the fact that he never spared me the view. I learned a lot from him.”
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“He was the finest of actors and directors,” Emma continued. “I couldn’t wait to see what he was going to do with his face next. I consider myself hugely privileged to have worked with him so many times and to have been directed by him.
“He was the ultimate ally. In life, art and politics. I trusted him absolutely. He was, above all things, a rare and unique human being and we shall not see his like again.”
Thousands of fans, including a number of famous faces, shared their condolences, including JK Rowling, who wrote: “There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death. He was a magnificent actor & a wonderful man.
“My thoughts are with Rima and the rest of Alan's family. We have all lost a great talent. They have lost part of their hearts.”