![Author J.K. Rawling Visits The Empire State Building Author J.K. Rawling Visits The Empire State Building](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/gettyimages-469050012.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
British actor Alan Rickman, known to Harry Potter fans as Professor Severus Snape, has died at age 69. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling took to her very popular Twitter feed to share her reaction to the news, which she called shocking and devastating.
A few minutes later, the author shared another message, expressing her condolences to Rickman’s wife, Rima. After 40 years together, the couple wed in a secret, private ceremony in 2012.
Several of Rickman’s Harry Potter co-stars have shared tributes, memories and messages of mourning as well.
Alan Rickman: A Career in Pictures
![Die Hard, 1988.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/die-hard-alan-rickman.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Truly, Madly, Deeply, 1990.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/truly-madly-deeply-alan-rickman.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, 1991.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/robin-hood-alan-rickman.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Alan Rickman Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny, 1996.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rasputin-alan-rickman.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Dogma, 1999.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dogma-alan-rickman.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Galaxy Quest, 1999.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/galaxy-quest-alan-rickman.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Film "Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone" In United States In November, 2001- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 2001.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rickman-051.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Love Actually, 2003.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/love-actually-alan-rickman.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, 2007.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/sweeney-todd-alan-rickman.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![THE BUTLER The Butler, 2013.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/the-butler-alan-rickman.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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