“If people want to know who I am, it is all in the work.” — Alan Rickman

It’s his birthday today.

When Alan Rickman died, I paid tribute to him for Rogerebert.com, including my memory of seeing him in the unforgettable Broadway production of Noel Coward’s Private Lives, opposite Lindsay Duncan. I still have the poster.

I cherish it, and cherish the memory.

 
 
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9 Responses to “If people want to know who I am, it is all in the work.” — Alan Rickman

  1. Bainer says:

    Oh, Sheila, you can always make me cry.

  2. Melissa Sutherland says:

    Wonderful production, and loved both of them in it. So sad. Still think about him, and miss him. Thank you for remembering.

  3. Jen says:

    I remember when part of Bottleshock was filmed in the town we were living in and my daughter and I, who was 2 at the time, walked down to watch filming. I never thought we’d see Alan Rickman. My daughter was beyond fascinated with all the equipment and lights and activity. She was pointing to everything and just entranced. I happened to look up and Alan Rickman was watching her with a soft, kind smile on his face. He caught my eye and my daughters gave us a wave and a wink and walked into the building. What caught my attention the most was just he was enthralled by her enthusiasm and you could just sense his kindness. He was an incredible talent and greatly missed.

    • sheila says:

      Jen – // I happened to look up and Alan Rickman was watching her with a soft, kind smile on his face. //

      Oh how tender and kind! I love him! Beautiful story.

  4. Bill Wolfe says:

    His performance in Galaxy Quest is a wonder. Vanity, wounded dignity, absurdity, jealousy, bravery, all in equal measure and in perfect balance. The world is full of jerks – why does this guy have to go early?

  5. Jessie says:

    I spent my lunchtime a few weeks ago leafing through his recently published diaries in the bookshop. I felt so perverse! It’s clearly him on the page, unvarnished. Fascinating reflections on how Ang Lee works (and how difficult it was to work that way); SO many gossipy little bits of character judgement, like, a throwaway line about Ewan MacGregor being self-obsessed in a charming childish way or sitting in front of Rowan Atkinson at the premiere of a Bean movie and having to fake laughter. I didn’t go in wanting access to his Private Lives but I couldn’t look away, curse me. I miss him so much!

    • sheila says:

      Oh wow, that sounds juicy!

      // and having to fake laughter. // oh no!!

      I miss him so much too. Just the best.

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