Emma Thompson has revealed that she kissed her Love Actually co-star Alan Rickman goodbye in his final moments before his death. The actress, who played his wife in the 2003 festive film, shared an emotional tribute following his passing.
Writing about their friendship, Thompson said: 'Alan was my friend and so this is hard to write because I have just kissed him goodbye. What I remember most in this moment of painful leave-taking is his humour, intelligence, wisdom and kindness.' She described his 'ineffable and cynical wit' and the 'clarity with which he saw most things, including me'.
Thompson worked with Rickman on numerous projects, including Sense and Sensibility, Song of Lunch and the Harry Potter films. She hailed him as an extraordinary actor and director, adding: 'I couldn't wait to see what he was going to do with his face next. He was, above all things, a rare and unique human being and we shall not see his like again.'
A month after Rickman's death, Thompson dedicated her Evening Standard British Film Award for Comedy in The Legend of Barney Thomson to him. She remarked: 'I'd like to commit this moment in time to dearest Alan Rickman. He did say I'd always end up looking like my mother, and he was right.'
