'Harry Potter' star Daniel Radcliffe pens touching tribute to co-star Alan Rickman

Hollywood has lost another great actor to cancer. News of Alan Rickman’s death stunned his fans and colleagues in the movie industry, including actor Daniel Radcliffe. Radcliffe penned a touching tribute to the actor, whom he consider as his mentor ever since their work together on the “Harry Potter” films.

Radcliffe knew Rickman at a young age, having worked with him in the first “Harry Potter” film at the age of 11. Both actors have gotten to know each other well over the course of filming the succeeding film sequels. So Rickman’s death came as a blow to Radcliffe.

The “Harry Potter” star took to his Google Plus page to reminisce on his memories of Rickman. Radcliffe also wrote a tribute to his mentor whom he considers a “great actor and man,” thanking him for his lessons, which he said he will forever carry with him for the rest of his life.

“Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with. He is also one of the [most loyal] and most supportive people I’ve ever met in the film industry,” Radcliffe started on his tribute.

Radcliffe mentioned how Rickman continued to support him in his acting endeavors even after his “Harry Potter” years. The veteran actor reportedly went to all his theatre plays in London and New York to give him support, which he said he didn’t have to do.

“I know other people who’ve been friends with him for much much longer than I have and they all say ‘if you call Alan, it doesn’t matter where in the world he is or how busy he is with what he’s doing, he’ll get back to you within a day,’” Radcliffe continued with his tribute for Rickman.

Radcliffe also mentioned how appearances can be deceiving. In the case of Rickman, his role as Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” films, or other villain roles he has portrayed, contradicts his true personality. Radcliffe vouched his mentor was “extremely kind, generous, self-deprecating and funny.”

Rickman was reportedly the first adult actor who treated him “like a peer rather than a child.” As parting tribute to Rickman, Radcliffe said his death is a great loss to film sets and theatre stages.

Rickman died after a private battle with cancer. According to The Guardian, the 69-year old died at his home in London “surrounded by family and friends.”