Alan Rickman, the beloved actor famed for his portrayal of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films, made a profoundly moving request to doctors after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, his widow has revealed.
A Poignant Final Request
In a candid interview with the Sunday Times, Rima Horton disclosed the heartbreaking plea her husband made upon learning he had pancreatic cancer in 2015. The first thing he said to the oncologist was, 'I don't want to die in pain,' she shared. The medical team honoured this wish, ensuring his final weeks were as comfortable as possible.
Rickman, who was 69 when he passed away in 2016, received the devastating news while in Los Angeles promoting his film A Little Chaos. His wife recalled that he began suffering from "a very nasty pain in his leg," which prompted urgent medical attention upon his return to the UK. Scans subsequently confirmed the diagnosis.
Creating Peace in Final Weeks
Rima Horton explained that Alan chose to keep his condition largely private from friends, fearing they would look at him with pity. He underwent chemotherapy, which is believed to have extended his life by approximately three months.
During this time, close friend and fellow actor Emma Thompson worked to make his hospital environment more peaceful. She reportedly "created a salon" for him, bringing in a standing lamp and soft throws to transform the clinical setting. Rickman also meticulously planned his own funeral service, a way to say goodbye on his own terms.
A Legacy Funding Future Hope
A decade on from his passing, Rima Horton is channelling her grief into a cause close to their hearts. She is auctioning a collection of Harry Potter books signed by cast members, including Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, and Rupert Grint.
The proceeds will fund a pioneering breath test project at Imperial College London, aimed at detecting pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages. Survival rates for the disease remain alarmingly low, with only about 22% of patients surviving beyond 30 days after diagnosis, and roughly 62% receiving their diagnosis at stage four.
In her reflections, Rima described the character of Snape as "brilliant" and an "important part of Alan's life," though the actor's private diaries, set for publication as Madly, Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries, reveal a complex relationship with the franchise. Initially feeling "a bit nothing about HP," he later expressed weariness but commitment to seeing the role through.
