Alan Rickman's Heartfelt Goodbye Letter to Harry Potter Fans & Professor Snape

Alan Rickman, who died at the age of 69 from cancer, will be remembered for so many wonderful roles despite having only started his film acting career at 41.

We definitely all know him as the amazing Severus Snape in Harry Potter!

Here's his thoughtful and heartfelt goodbye letter to the role which he penned for Empire in 2011, shortly after wrapping on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

Photo: Empire

It reads:

"I have just returned from the dubbing studio where I spoke into a microphone as Severus Snape for absolutely the last time. On the screen were some flashback shots of Daniel, Emma, and Rupert from ten years ago. They were 12. I have also recently returned from New York, and while I was there, I saw Daniel singing and dancing (brilliantly) on Broadway. A lifetime seems to have passed in minutes.

Three children have become adults since a phone call with Jo Rowling, containing one small clue, persuaded me that there was more to Snape than an unchanging costume, and that even though only three of the books were out at that time, she held the entire massive but delicate narrative in the surest of hands.

It is an ancient need to be told in stories. But the story needs a great storyteller. Thanks for all of it, Jo.

Alan Rickman"

Read the Harry Potter tributes here.