Daniel Radcliffe Mourns ‘Kind’ Friend Alan Rickman With Heartbreaking Tribute

The news of Alan Rickman’s passing was a crushing blow for anyone who calls themselves a ‘Harry Potter’ fan. But what about the boy who called himself Harry Potter for 10 years? Daniel Radcliffe, who shared the screen with the legendary actor in all 8 HP films, broke his silence to share a mournful message about his friend and mentor.

While Snape and Harry Potter had a tumultuous relationship at best, Daniel Radcliffe and the late Alan Rickman, who died of cancer on Jan. 14, had a strong and beautiful friendship. After Alan’s passing, Daniel released a heartbreaking statement about the man he called one of the most ‘supportive’ actors he ever knew.

“Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with,” Daniel shared on his GooglePlus page.  “He is also one of the most loyal and most supportive people I’ve ever met in the film industry. He was so encouraging of me both on set and in the years post-Potter. I’m pretty sure he came and saw everything I ever did on stage both in London and New York. He didn’t have to do that. 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.’”

Sounds like he was a pretty amazing man and friend. Of course, since many people know him as Snape and other villainous characters, they might be surprised to hear this. But Daniel continues to explain that Alan was much more than what the audience saw of him on screen. “People create perceptions of actors based on the parts they played so it might surprise some people to learn that contrary to some of the sterner (or downright scary) characters he played, Alan was extremely kind, generous, self-deprecating and funny. And certain things obviously became even funnier when delivered in his unmistakable double-bass.”

In closing, he shared fellow Harry Potter co-star Emma Watson‘s sentiments that working with Alan was a highlight of his career. “As an actor he was one of the first of the adults on Potter to treat me like a peer rather than a child,” Daniel added. “Working with him at such a formative age was incredibly important and I will carry the lessons he taught me for the rest of my life and career. Film sets and theatre stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man.”

His statement follows the mournful sentiments of his fellow Harry Potter co-stars, as well as a ‘devastating’ tweet from J.K Rowling, author of the beloved series. Of course, fans spent most of the day remembering the great man who gave the world not only the perfectly complex and witty character of Snape, but also Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility, and the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.

Hollywoodlifers, share your favorite memory for Alan Rickman, or your favorite movie he’s starred in below.