Alan Rickman’s Harry Potter Charity Work Revealed by Tom Felton

A decade after his passing, Alan Rickman is being remembered for his behind-the-scenes generosity on the set of the Harry Potter films. Co-star Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, has paid tribute to the late actor, revealing Rickman’s incredible charity work and the lessons he imparted about connecting with young fans.

Rickman’s Secret Visits for Terminally Ill Children

In a memorial published by The Guardian, Felton shared that Rickman would frequently arrange visits to the studio for terminally ill children and their families. Rickman would cleverly present them as his own relatives or friends to facilitate a magical, behind-the-scenes experience during a dark time. Felton noted that this act taught him a great deal about the nature of charity.

The Importance of Staying in Character

Felton also recalled a key lesson from Rickman: children visiting the set wanted to meet the characters, not the actors. He explained that his own friendly greeting as Draco Malfoy often confused young visitors. In contrast, Rickman would remain fully in character as the stern Professor Snape, sneering at the children, telling them to tuck in their shirts, and even giving them a light clip around the ear. Felton described this performance as “charming, disarming and a delight to watch.”

A Memorable On-Set Admonishment

The tribute also references a separate, previously shared anecdote from the set of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Felton remembered a time he accidentally stepped on Rickman’s cloak, leading to a stern admonishment. When the director later instructed Felton to walk close to Rickman for a scene, he accidentally strangled him with the cloak again, prompting a fearsome look from Rickman that Felton said “you never, ever want to see.”

Rickman’s Legacy Beyond Villainy

The article concludes by noting that Rickman, who passed away in 2016 at age 69, was celebrated for his iconic roles beyond Harry Potter, including Hans Gruber in Die Hard and the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It mentions that fellow actor Emma Thompson had previously stated Rickman grew tired of being typecast as a villain, a stereotype he successfully broke with roles like Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility.

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