He was one of the most refined and talented actors to grace the screen -- and he could play anything. He served his talent well, and he will be sorely missed.
Today's birthday boy is Alan Rickman. He is one of my favorite character actors, and has been in everything from 'Robin Hood Prince of Thieves' where he played the Sheriff of Nottingham, to Die Hard where he played Hans Gruber, a terrorist who farts in an elevator!