Tom Felton Reveals Alan Rickman's Proudest Harry Potter Moment
Draco Malfoy actor shares intimate memories of the late Severus Snape star, including the scene that made Rickman declare he had reached his peak and his surprising approach to meeting young fans on set.
Ten years have passed since Alan Rickman's death, yet his impact remains powerful. The actor who brought Severus Snape to life in the Harry Potter movies died at 69 on January 14, 2016, following a quiet fight against pancreatic cancer. Even while battling illness, Rickman created performances that audiences still remember today.
From playing the ruthless Hans Gruber in Die Hard to the romantic ghost Jamie in Truly Madly Deeply, Rickman showed incredible range throughout his career. Now, as we mark a decade since his passing, his Harry Potter co-star Tom Felton shares personal stories that reveal who Rickman really was behind the cameras.
The Night Shoot That Made Rickman Feel Complete
Tom Felton recently opened up about a special memory with Rickman during filming. The moment happened during a late-night shoot for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, specifically while filming the scene where Hagrid's hut burns down.
"I remember the night shoot when Hagrid's hut was set on fire. It was about 4am and freezing cold. We stood together on a grassy bank, Helena Bonham Carter and Robbie Coltrane battling behind us. Alan didn't utter a word," Felton recalled.
The exhausted cast stood in the bitter cold while Rickman maintained his usual focused silence. Felton finally worked up the nerve to check on his co-star.
"I finally mustered the courage to ask him: 'You all right, Alan? How you feeling?' About 10 seconds after I'd spoken he turned his head to me and replied slowly: 'I've peaked.' He then turned his head back with the tiniest hint of a smile and a twinkle in his eye."
That response perfectly captured Rickman's dry wit. The actor felt genuinely proud of his work in that moment, expressing it with his characteristic understated humor.
Why Rickman Stayed in Character Around Sick Children
Felton also cleared up misconceptions about Rickman's intimidating presence on set. Despite seeming harsh, the actor was actually incredibly kind and taught Felton valuable lessons about charity work.
Rickman regularly brought terminally ill children and their families to visit the Harry Potter sets. He would introduce them as his cousins or friends. But instead of breaking character to be friendly, Rickman did something unexpected.
"He also taught me that children don't want to meet actors, but the characters they play. I would usually greet a nine-year-old visitor by saying: 'Hello, how's it going mate?' which would usually freak them out: 'Why is Draco being so happy?!'"
Rickman took a completely different approach. He stayed fully committed to being Snape.
"Alan would sneer at them in front of their parents, then tell them to tuck their shirts in and clip them round the ear. Full Snape. Charming, disarming, and a delight to watch. He never smiled. But when I look back, I think he probably was inside."
The children loved it. They got to meet the actual Severus Snape, not just the actor who played him. Rickman understood that these kids wanted the full magical experience, especially during such difficult times in their lives.
This approach showed Rickman's deep understanding of what would truly make these young fans happy. He gave them authentic encounters with their favorite character rather than disappointing them with a friendly actor breaking the spell.