Alan Rickman, a British actor most recently known for his role as Professor Snape in Harry Potter films, died after a battle with cancer, his family confirmed Thursday. He was 69.

RIckman's death came a day after a fake death report was published online.

Harry Potter book author JK Rowling tweeted that he was "shocked and devastated" by word of Rickman's passing, calling him "a magnificent actor & a wonderful man."

There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death. He was a magnificent actor & a wonderful man.

-- J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 14, 2016

Dumbledore actor Michael Gambon tweeted that Rickman was "creative and very, very funny."

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved #AlanRickman who played #ProfessorSnape (1/2) pic.twitter.com/FrIadBBTGR

-- Harry Potter Film (@HarryPotterFilm) January 14, 2016

His movie career took off when he was 41 in 1988 opposite Bruce Willis in Die Hard. Rickman played villain Hans Gruber. He portrayed the sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in 1991 and was filled the title role in HBO's Rasputin in 1995.

Strangely, a hoax website published a fake report of Rickman's death on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. It updated the hoax report Thursday to note that his passing "has now been confirmed."