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Of Irish and Welsh parentage, Alan was born in London's Hammersmith district on February 21, 1946. His father, who was a painter and decorator, died of cancer when the actor was eight, leaving behind Alan, his mother, and three siblings. After winning a scholarship to West London's Latymer Upper School, Rickman began acting, at the encouragement of his teachers. He also developed an interest in art, and he went on to study graphic design at the Royal College of Art. He founded a Soho-based design company, but after deciding that his heart lay in acting, he abandoned the company when he was twenty-six to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He spent three years there, serving as a dresser to such actors as Ralph Richardson and Nigel Hawthorne. After leaving RADA, Rickman began to make his name on the stage, first appearing in repertory and then landing lead roles in London productions. He gained particular acclaim for his portrayal of Valmont in a West End production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, eventually reprising his role for the Broadway production and winning a Tony nomination.
His first movie success was as the evil villian Hans Gruber in Die Hard along side Bruce Willis. Other major movie credits include Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility, Truly, Madly, Deeply, Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood-Prince of Thieves, Galaxy Quest and most notably Professor Severus Snape in the beloved Harry Potter film series.
His first love, however, is theatre and he has passed up many choice movie roles in favour of the stage.
He is devoted to his longtime love and partner - Rima Horton and the couple have been together since the 1960's.

Alan is a true British gentleman, actor extraordinaire, adored and admired by millions, he is undeniably one of the world's finest actors.

Movie Credits
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) - Severus Snape
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) - Severus Snape
Snowcake (2005) - Alex Hughes
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) - Severus Snape
Something the Lord Made (2004) - Alfred Blalock
Love Actually (2003) - Harry
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) - Severus Snape
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - Severus Snape
Blow Dry (2001) - Phil Arden
Galaxy Quest (1999) - Alexander Dane/Dr. Lazarus
Michael Collins (1996) - Eamon de Valera
Rasputin (1996) - Grigori Rasputin
Sense and Sensibility (1995) - Colonel Brandon
An Awfully Big Adventure (1995) - P.L. O'Hara
Mesmer (1994) - Franz Anton Mesmer
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) - Sheriff of Nottingham
Truly Madly Deeply (1991) - Jamie
Closet Land (1991) - Interrogator
Quigley Down Under (1990) - Elliott Marston
Die Hard (1988) - Hans Gruber

... and many more.

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Of Irish and Welsh parentage, Alan was born in London's Hammersmith district on February 21, 1946. His father, who was a painter and decorator, died of cancer when the actor was eight, leaving behind Alan, his mother, and three siblings. After winning a scholarship to West London's Latymer Upper School, Rickman began acting, at the encouragement of his teachers. He also developed an interest in art, and he went on to study graphic design at the Royal College of Art. He founded a Soho-based design company, but after deciding that his heart lay in acting, he abandoned the company when he was twenty-six to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He spent three years there, serving as a dresser to such actors as Ralph Richardson and Nigel Hawthorne. After leaving RADA, Rickman began to make his name on the stage, first appearing in repertory and then landing lead roles in London productions. He gained particular acclaim for his portrayal of Valmont in a West End production of

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