Actor Alan Rickman always seemed to be drawn to the villainous roles, the dark roles that lent a sinister aura to this talented man who actually began acting late in life.
Just three years ago, Rickman passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 69. A talented artist, he studied art and design in college but dabbled in acting for his high school drama program.
Despite loving acting, Rickman focused instead on having a solid and reliable career as an artist. But he eventually followed his dream and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, launching his career with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
People remember him as the villain in Die Hard and the sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. But his acting gained considerable notoriety after he appeared as Professor Severus Snape in all eight of the Harry Potter series of movies.
After production wrapped up on the final installment Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Rickman decided to write an emotionally charged farewell letter to the movies that had become such a huge part of his life.
He also addressed Harry Potter and the other characters, as well as author J.K. Rowling, in his note, which was shared by the Independent after being published in the British film publication Empire Magazine.