Alan Rickman

He continued to play the role through the eighth and last movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011).

Attended the funeral of Natasha Richardson at St. Peter's Episcopal Church near Millbrook, New York on April 22, 2009.

Rickman even conquered the daunting task of singing a role in a Stephen Sondheim musical as he took on the role of Judge Turpin in the movie adaptation of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007).

Read the screenplay of Snow Cake (2006) and suggested Sigourney Weaver for the role of Linda Freeman, having worked with her on Galaxy Quest (1999). He even telephoned Weaver, and told her she had to read the screenplay, as there was a role he felt she could play perfectly in the role.

Two of the Harry Potter films (so far) also feature Warwick Davis as Professor Flitwick. In The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005), Rickman and Warwick Davis play the same role. Warwick Davis wore the robotic suit for Marvin, while Rickman provides the voice.

Alfred Blalock in Something the Lord Made (2004), and as Alex Hughes in Snow Cake (2006), showcased his ability to play ordinary men in extraordinary situations.

He was considered to play Captain Hook in Peter Pan (2003), which went to Jason Isaacs. Rickman co-stared with Isaacs in the Harry Potter movies.

Named Best Stage Actor for his role in the acclaimed revival of Noël Coward's "Private Lives" at the Variety Club Show Business Awards (2002).

In 2001, Rickman introduced himself to a whole new, younger generation of fans by taking on the role of Severus Snape in the film versions of J. K.

Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001).

He was offered the role of Leonardo Leonardo in the 2000 cartoon based on Kevin Smith's film Clerks (1994). Originally, the character was modeled after Hans Gruber, but the design was changed upon Rickman's request. The studio decided not to go with Rickman, and the role went to Alec Baldwin.

He treated audiences to his comedic abilities in such films as Dogma (1999), Galaxy Quest (1999) and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005), and roles like Dr.

Ranked #59 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. [October 1997]

He was the first choice to play Sidney in Crimetime (1996), but the film's budget was too low to afford him. The role went to Pete Postlethwaite.

Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#34) (1995).

He was Richard Curtis' choice to play Charles in Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994). Curtis was very hesitant in casting Hugh Grant as he had so wanted Rickman.

Had worked with director Alfonso Cuarón twice: first in Fallen Angels: Murder, Obliquely (1993) and second in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004).

For Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), he turned down the role of the Sheriff of Nottingham twice before he was told he could more or less have carte-blanche with his interpretation of the character.

Although often cited as being a master of playing villains, Rickman actually played a wide variety of characters, such as the romantic cello-playing ghost Jamie in Anthony Minghella's Truly Madly Deeply (1990) and the noble Colonel Brandon of Sense and Sensibility (1995).

Denied the role in the film version of the show, Rickman instead made his first film appearance opposite Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988) as the villainous Hans Gruber. His take on the urbane villain set the standard for screen villains for decades to come.

Alan Rickman was born on a council estate in Acton, West London, to Margaret Doreen Rose (Bartlett), of English and Welsh descent, and Bernard Rickman, of Irish descent, who worked at a factory. Alan Rickman had an older brother (David), a younger brother (Michael), and a younger sister (Sheila). When Alan was 8 years old, his father died. He attended Latymer Upper School on a scholarship. He studied Graphic Design at Chelsea College of Art and Design, where he met Rima Horton, who would later become his longtime partner. After three years at Chelsea College, Rickman did graduate studies at the Royal College of Art. He opened a successful graphic design business, Graphiti, with friends and managed it for several years before his love of theatre led him to seek an audition with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). At the relatively late age of 26, Rickman received a scholarship to RADA, which started a professional acting career that has lasted nearly 40 years, a career which has spanned stage, screen and television, and overlapped into directing, as well. In 1987, he first came to the attention of American audiences as the Vicomte de Valmont in "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" on Broadway (he was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the role).

Shared a house with Ruby Wax in London, England in the early 1980s.

Had been in a relationship with Rima Horton since 1965. The couple married in a private ceremony in New York City (2012). She retired from her lecturing position and later lost her council seat in the May 2006 local elections.

The first film he ever saw was Swiss Family Robinson (1960) and the film that changed his life was Robert Altman's Nashville (1975).