What is in Alan Rickman’s diaries?
ALAN Rickman was a much loved actor, whose career spanned over 30 years before his untimely death in 2016.
But during his incredible life he kept a journal, which has been published as a book called Madly, Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries.
What is in Alan Rickman's diaries?
From 1972, actor Alan Rickman kept a pocket diary in which he noted appointments, anniversaries, opening nights and addresses.
In 1992, he started using full page journals to keep a longer account of his day.
Over the years he wrote 26 diaries, which also included beautiful illustrations.
The diaries highlight key moments in his life, and give a personal insight into how he felt at the time.
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Harry Potter
Alan's diaries reveal he was tentative about taking on the role of Professor Snape in the Harry Potter franchise.
On August 23, 2000, he revealed in his journal how he had accepted the part, but the next day, he wrote that he was “feeling a bit nothing about HP which really disturbs me”.
In another poignant excerpt from one of his 2005 journals, it revealed that the actor was privately battling aggressive prostate cancer during filming for the fifth instalment of Harry Potter.
Alan revealed why he agreed to keep filming for the franchise, despite being unwell.
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He wrote: "Finally, yes to HP 5. The sensation is neither up nor down.
"The argument that wins is the one that says: 'See it through. It's your story'."
Love Actually
On September 16, 2002, he revealed it was the first day of filming Love Actually.
Fast forward to the following year in October 2003, and he had nothing but praise for his co-stars, writing: "Golden Square – screening of Love Actually. Me, Martine McCutcheon, and two of her friends.
"Actually, she’s one of the best things in the film. Unaffected, truthful and direct."
London Bombings
One particularly historical post was when he commented on the London bombings on July 7, 2005.
He wrote: "Absolute pillar to post – from the euphoric yesterday [London had just won the 2012 Olympics] to the numbness of today. A bus and three? Four? stations. Hundreds injured and (as of today) 37 killed
"Bush has the nerve to talk of 'the killing of innocent people' and Blair feels it necessary to use his 'I am moved' voice.
"Real tragedy wherever you look from whatever angle but threaded with hypocrisy as ever.
"Newsnight has Paxman pressing his tired old buttons on, of all people, Tony Benn, who as far as I can see is making perfect sense.
"We stayed home all day. Answered worried phone calls. Watched TV. Stared at it all."
Liam Gallagher
A more lighthearted post came when he was watching the Brits on TV on February 14, 2007, when he took a dislike to Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher.
Alan wrote in his journal: "Stayed in and watched the Brits.
"Liam Gallagher is a great rock singer but an absolute tosser as a person.
"Who cares about his little tantrums – come out from behind the hair & glasses and showy walk and witless rudeness."
Madly, Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries was released in September 2022, and can be bought at book retailers.
Was Alan Rickman married?
Alan married his wife Rima Horton in 2012 after 50 years together .
The pair met in 1965 when he was 19 and she was 18.
They lived in London together from 1977 until his death in 2016.
Shortly after they wed, he told German newspaper : "We are married, just recently.
"It was great, because no one was there.
"After the wedding in New York we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and ate lunch."
What films was Alan Rickman in?
Alan thrilled movie goers with his blockbuster films for three decades.
The late actor's movie career kicked off in 1988 and saw him star in 49 films.
Often playing "the baddie", Alan had a mixture of different roles, from thrillers to drama, to comedies and action movies.
Along with all eight Harry Potter movies, his biggest films were:
- 1988 - Die Hard
- 1991 - Truly, Madly, Deeply
- 1991 - Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
- 1995 - Sense And Sensibility
- 2003 - Love Actually
- 2010 - Alice In Wonderland
- 2014 - A Little Chaos
- 2015 - Eye In The Sky
- 2016 - Alice Through The Looking Glass
How did Alan Rickman die?
Alan sadly passed away on of pancreatic cancer on January 14, 2016, at the age of 69.
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His death was confirmed by his family who said that he died “surrounded by family and friends”.
It is believed that he only revealed to close friends and family that he was terminally ill.