Alan Rickman, the celebrated British film and stage actor best known for roles in Harry Potter, Robin Hood and Die Hard, has died aged 69 after suffering from cancer.

Rickman passed away in London with his family by his side. His family said in a statement: “The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends.”

Rickman was born in Acton, west London, in 1946. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began his career on stage after graduating, appearing in productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Known for his gravelly voice and dominating presence on screen, he also had memorable roles in films such as Love Actually and a Bafta award-winning turn as the Sheriff in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. His breakout role arrived in the form of the scheming Vicomte de Valmont in an acclaimed 1985 RSC production of “Les Liaisons Dangereuses", but he was not propelled to international fame until he landed the part of Bruce Willis’ arch enemy Hans Gruber in Die Hard, aged 41.

Rickman was honoured with a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award for his leading role in 1995 film Rasputin. He was unfazed about never winning an Academy Award, telling a US network in 2008: “Parts win prizes, not actors.”

Rickman appeared in all of the Harry Potter films as potions director Severus Snape, a villain who eventually redeems himself. JK Rowling said there were no words to describe her devastation at losing such a "magnificent and wonderful man".

Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Show all 30 1 /30 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman at the UK premiere of 'A Little Chaos' at ODEON Kensington in London, 2015 Getty Images Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman poses with actress Kate Winslet and actress Helen McCrory as they attend the UK premiere of 'A Little Chaos' at ODEON Kensington in London, 2015 Getty Image Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman signs autographs for fans before the opening ceremony during the Febiofest Prague International Film Festival in Prague, Czech Republic, 2015 Getty Images Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman poses with 'Elle & The Pocket Belles' as he attends on day two of the Qatar Goodwood Festival at Goodwood Racecourse in Chichester, 2015 Getty Images Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman shakes hands with the Queen Elizabeth II during the Dramatic Arts reception at Buckingham Palace, 2014 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman arrives at the Giffoni Film Festival meeting with the jurors in Giffoni Valle Piana, Italy, 2014 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures 'A Promise' film photocall, 70th Venice International Film Festival, Italy, 2013 Rex Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman walks on the red carpet as he arrives to attend the World Premier for the film 'Gambit' in Leicester Square, in London, 2012 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures (L-R) Alan Rickman, Tom Felton, Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Matthew Lewis attend the New York premiere of 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2' at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center in New York, 2011 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman attends the 'John Gabriel Borkman' after party at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City, 2011 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman at the Broadway opening night of 'Seminar' at The Golden Theatre in New York, 2011 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Actors Sir Christopher Lee (L) and Alan Rickman attend the Royal World Premiere of 'Alice In Wonderland' at Odeon Leicester Square in London, 2010 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman poses at the Gibson Guitar celebrity hospitality lounge held at the Miners Club during the 2008 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver attend the photocall for 'Snow Cake' as part of the 56th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) in Berlin, 2006 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman shares a laugh with Mos Def at the premiere of HBO's 'Something The Lord Made' in New York, 2004 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman attends the UK Premiere of 'Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban' at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, 2004 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Actor Alan Rickman and Lyndsey Duncan attend the '2002 Tony Award' nominees brunch in New York, 2002 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman and Julia Roberts at 'Hollywood Salutes Bruce Willis: An American Cinematheque Tribute' at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, 2000 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Sigourney Weaver (L), Tim Allen (C) and Alan Rickman (R), pose for the premiere of the science fiction, action comedy film 'Galaxy Quest' outside Mann's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, 1999 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman at the Golden Globe Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles, 1997 Rex Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman with Laim Neeson, Natasha Richardson in 1997 Rex Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Actresses Cybill Shepherd (L) and Christine Baranski (C) present an Emmy to Alan Rickman (R) for outstanding lead actor in a mini-series or special for his lead role in the HBO production of 'Rasputin' during the 48th Annual Emmy Awards in Pasadena, California, 1996 Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson and Phyllida Law at the Premiere of "Winter Guest" in Glasgow, Scotland, 1993 Rex Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman, Juliette Stevenson and Michael Maloney in 1990 Rex Alan Rickman: Life in pictures Alan Rickman in 1984

Stephen Fry led an outpouring of tributes to Rickman from his friends, fellow actors and legion of fans. “What desperately sad news about Alan Rickman,” he wrote on Twitter. “A man of such talent, wicked charm and stunning screen and stage presence. He'll be sorely missed.”

Harry Potter actor James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley, said Rickman was “one of the nicest actors I've ever met”.

Most iconic Alan Rickman scenes: Harry Potter; Die Hard; and more.

The Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn praised Rickman as “one of the greatest actors of his generation”. “My thoughts are with his family and friends,” he wrote.

His death comes just days after the passing of iconic singer and artist David Bowie, who also died aged 69 from cancer. The comedian Eddie Izzard said he had lost another hero, writing: “I do not want my heroes to die! Alan Rickman is dead and he was another hero. Alan - thank you for being with us. We are sorry you had to go.”