I'm insanely jealous. Despite the fact that he's far too old for me. Alan Rickman is one of my favorite actors, I'm so glad to hear he was nice! I've been a fan ever since I saw Galaxy Quest as a young teenager.
Harry Potter:
I just watched POA and I loved that scene too. It was subtle but it just about melted my heart.
And the Umbridge/Snape conversation - I'd just been trying to figure out why every time I say "obviously" I hear Snape's voice saying it in my head! Now I know!
And another posted answered another big, unanswered question I've had - why do I always feel sympathetic for the Sheriff of Nottingham? It all makes sense now...
Has anyone seen Bottle Shock? It's set in the 70s in California and Alan Rickman plays a greasy, grumpy, English-French wine snob.

Also: I don't know if there's ever been a movie version of Les Mis, but if they were to make one I would absolutely love to see Alan Rickman play Javert.