Lifestyle FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2016

In a file picture taken on July 9, 2009 British actor Alan Rickman arrives at the New York premier of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in New York. —AP/AFP photos Alan Rickman, star of stage and ‘Harry Potter’ dies at 69

ritish actor Alan Rickman, whose career ranged from the Royal Shakespeare Company to the “Harry Potter” films, has died. He was 69. Rickman’s family said yesterday that the actor had died after a battle with cancer. Trained at the prestigious BRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art, Rickman was often cast as the bad guy; with his rich, languid voice he could invest evil with wicked, irresistible relish. His breakout role was as scheming French aristocrat the Vicomte de Valmont in an acclaimed 1985 RSC production of ’s “.” Film roles included the villain in “” in 1988; a deceased lover who consoles his bereaved partner in 1990’s “Truly Madly Deeply”; the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham in “: Prince of Thieves” in 1991; and a wayward hus- band in 2003 “.” Millions know him from the Potter films, in which he played the Dark Arts teacher , who was either a nemesis or an ally - possibly both - to the titular teenage wizard. Rickman is survived by his partner of 50 years, Rima Horton, whom he married recently.—AP

In this Jan 10, 2008 file photo, from left to right, British actor Alan Rickman, British director , British actress , US actor and British actor pose for photographers, at the premiere of : The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, in .

In this Oct 16, 1998 file photo, In a file picture taken on December 3, British actors and 2007 British actor Alan Rickman Alan Rickman act, during a photo- In this Feb 9, 2006 file photo, US actress Sigourney arrives for the premiere of “Sweeney call rehearsal for ‘Anthony and Weaver, left, and British actor Alan Rickman pose during a Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet ’ at the Olivier Theatre on photocall for their movie ‘’ at the Berlinale in Street” in New York. London’s South Bank. Berlin.