Emma Thompson's moving tribute to Alan Rickman

'I'm still heartbroken that Alan's gone but these diaries bring back so much of what I remember of him.'
Emma Thompson's moving tribute to Alan Rickman at the BFI recently encapsulates so much of what makes his such a great loss.

F O L L O W U S

[MrsBadger]

I’m so glad Alan and Emma were friends…two extraordinary beings.

[afterburner]

Her "Hold on, Thompson!" While shaking and on the verge of tears to not break down and continue the speech shows you everything there is to know about her love and respect for her friend.❤️

[emmacollett]

He was gorgeous. The older I get the more I fall in love with his very layered portrayal of Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility. The ultimate Gothic hero.

[rebeccamccoy]

I’ve always loved Alan but Emma’s ability to articulate all of his wonderful qualities brought tears to my eyes and I think that’s one of the reasons I’ve always loved her, not to mention as Hugh Grant said…she’s mad as a chair. This is a woman who’ll never grow old, just age like fine wine.

[maggiematthews]

Alan Rickman was one of the most brilliant actors we have ever seen and he will be sincerely missed. Thank you Emma for this lovely and fitting tribute.

[anthecrawford]

I meet him once in Boots and said hello, he realised it was a reflex to recognising a known face. He picked up an item we both were looking at, smiled and said “well hello there are we going to arm wrestle for this?” That deep tone rendered me mute, I realised it was Mr Rickman and instantly denied needing this forgotten thing, apologised for well nothing really, smiled and backed away. He was a giant of a fellow on and off the stage and will be missed.

[fatjabba]

A close friend of mine bumped into him in a theatre in London many years ago. My friend instantly recognised Mr Rickman and from nowhere, instantly found the courage to ask him for his autograph. Having neither pen nor paper for this, he asked Mr Rickman if he would mind waiting a moment whist he collected the items from somewhere, anywhere! The moment became at least 10 minutes or so, and when my friend ran back to a now empty theatre foyer, he noticed one solitary figure. Mr Rickman had waited patiently for my friend to give him what he asked for. In a day and age where we're hearing more and more horror stories about the Hollywood elite, this tale becomes more and more profound, and shows that there are some real human beings in the industry.

[daniellekiey-thomas]

I’m massively impressed at Emma’s ability to speak those words without breaking down. I lost my best friend a few years ago and, even now, am unable to speak about him without ending up in tears. If I had been able to speak about him at his funeral I would have poured out my admiration and devotion, but I was only able to sob. To this day I am heartbroken. I can only hope we meet again one day.

[scottlang]

I am delighted to hear that Emma could "flap" him. Everyone needs a friend who is close enough to us to get under our skin :)

[giggle_snort]

"I could flap him like nobody's business." Classic Emma Thompson, wielding her sparkling wit, and even at such a somber time, it's not only appropriate, it's perfection. And certainly a fitting tribute to Alan Rickman. Almost 7 years on, and I'm still not over his death. The world is a darker, sadder place without his light. And I absolutely have to echo what she said: "We shall not see his like again." We miss you, Professor. ❤❤❤

[trex]

I'm so glad to hear Alan Rickman was all the wonderful things I imagined him to be. Thank you for articulating his qualities, Emma. RIP Alan Rickman.

[stellabandante]

This does bring tears. I fell for him in "Truly, Madly, Deeply" and loved him in everything I saw. That voice. Only one in the world like it.

[gregweaver]

I had the pleasure of meeting him once when I worked at The Gap. One of the only actors I believe I would ever approach, but I didn’t have to. He read that I was dumbfounded and laughed, said hello, I said hi, told him how much I loved him and he put out his hand and introduced himself. It was so generous, nice and engaging. I miss seeing him in movies 😢

[lj]

This was a beautiful and vibrant tribute to Allen. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[mortalclown]

I loved him and the fact that he - politely - turned down royal honors. Humble, deep, kind and brilliantly talented. Rest in paradise, Alan. You made the Earth a better place.

[garymeise]

Despite being a remembrance to Alan Rickman who was absolutely one of the greatest English actors of the last half century, this tribute is obviously a sharing of the brilliant writing, the uniquely distinctive writing, that comes from Emma Thompson it is like she is reminding us why she won the Oscar for writing and why it's an absolute crime that she has not written more for the screen, for her fans, for us. Emma, we need you. Yes you're a great actor actress. But you're a far greater writer get your ars to work. :-)

[Danrw]

There’s a tribute that should urge us all to do better in life. Being a famous or even well known artist isn’t required. Just need to be real, sincere, committed, honest and kind.

[domb]

Never met him, just adored him at a distance. Can't wait to read the diary.
Thank you Emma.

[broadwaywes]

To have someone speak this way about me after passing would mean the world

[TheUnsignedbands]

I was lucky enough to work with him on a film. At lunchtime I joined the line for a meal and as I payed and went to turn to look for a table, someone knocked into me from behind and my drink went flying. I turned and it was Alan, he apologized put his hand on my shoulder and said let me get you another. He came back with a cup of tea and I was so overwhelmed. I was shocked how he was so down to earth and a real gentleman. Alan you were magnificent, professional and a real pleasure to be around. Thank you ❤