Alan Rickman, beloved actor from films including "Die Hard," "Love Actually," and the "Harry Potter" series, has died.

Rickman, 69, had been battling cancer according to British newspaper The Guardian, which first reported his death.

The actor was most widely known amongst young fans for his performance as Professor Snape in the "Harry Potter" movies, in which he made the complicated character both sympathetic and iconic. Rickman reportedly had the privilege of learning about Snape's true motivations from J.K. Rowling herself, years before "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" was published.

In addition to starring in countless films over the years, the actor was also prolific in theater roles, often appearing on the London stage.