Alan Rickman, known as Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series written by J.K. Rowling, lost his battle with cancer on Thursday, January 14 at the age of 69. Not only was Rickman a prevalent character in Rowling’s films, but was present in other cinema block busters, such as “Die Hard” (1988), “Sense and Sensibility” (1995), “Love Actually” (2003), and most recently, “A Little Chaos” (2014). Rickman was not only an actor, but a producer and director for a variety of British films.

The response to Rickman’s death, especially from Harry Potter fans, has been nothing but admiration and respect. His death, although gradual because of his lung cancer, was and is still a shock. J.K Rowling took to Twitter to pay her respects and acknowledge the loss of one of her most recognized book characters.

“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,” she said in her Twitter post.

Daniel Radcliffe, fellow actor of Rickman in the Harry Potter series, posted a touching tribute on his Facebook page, stating, “Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with. He is also, one of the loyalest and most supportive people I’ve ever met in the film industry. He was so encouraging of me both on set and in the years post-Potter.”

Rickman touched the childhoods of many, especially of junior Sydney Morrow who sadly noted, “My favorite character was always Snape. He did not act like it, but he was a very loving guy. He really impacted me when I was younger, and now that he is dead, I can not watch the Harry Potter movies the same.”

Rickman had the ability to transform himself into the darkest of characters, as well as the most pleasant and kind ones. According to junior Brooke Menzies, “‘Always’. Page 394′” is her favorite line of Rickman’s in the series and encompasses the intensity of the character that Rickman portrayed. It was not the number of lines Rickman had, but the focus and emotion placed within those lines that defined him as an actor. He is an iconic man that the world will be sure to miss.