Alan Rickman

English actor and director, Alan Rickman was one of the greatest screen legends. He was best known as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series. Rickman first came to limelight after featuring in the Les Liaisons Dangereuses on Broadway in 1985. He debuted in films in 1988 in Die Hard as the German terrorist leader, Hans Gruber. He won Golden Globe Award, an Emmy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his role in TV film, Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny (1996). He died at the age of 69 on January 14, 2016, after a short battle with cancer. 

Early Life Of Alan Rickman        

Alan Rickman was born Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman on February 21, 1946, in  Hammersmith, West London, England. He was the son of Margaret Doreen Rose (née Bartlett) and Bernard William Rickman. His Catholic father was a factory worker, decorator, house painter and also a former World War II aircraft fitter whereas his Methodist mother was a housewife.    

He was raised along with his three siblings, two brothers, David Rickman and Michael Rickman and a sister, Sheila Rickman. His brother,  Michael, is a District Councillor in Leicestershire. Rickman lost his father when he was just eight years old because of lung cancer. After his father died, his mother raised him and his three siblings mostly alone. His mother remarried in 1960 but divorced after three years.  

He attended Derwentwater Primary School in Acton. Then joined Latymer Upper School in London where he involved in drama. Later he went to  Chelsea College of Art and Design and  Royal College of Art. Then he served as a graphic designer for the Royal College of Art's in-house magazine which he found more stable occupation than acting.

Soon after completing his graduation, Alan Rickman opened a graphic design studio, Graphiti along with his friends. But after years of successful business, he quit the business in order to pursue his acting career. He even wrote an audition request to Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Alan Rickman's Career

After RADA, Alan Rickman worked with British repertory and experimental theatre groups. He appeared three times at the  Edinburgh International Festival. In 1982, he appeared in the BBC's adaptation The Barchester Chronicles (1982).

Rickman got his first lead role in the 1985 Royal Shakespeare Company production, Les Liaisons Dangereuses. His performance earned him Tony Award nomination and a Drama Desk Award nomination. In 1988, he featured in the action film, Die Hard as Hans Gruber and earned him a spot on the AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains list at the 46th best villain in film history.

He got his breakthrough in 1996 after appearing in the HBO biopic Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny. He played the role of mad monk Rasputin which won him Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award. 

Rickman loved to portray different characters at the screen; he didn't like to limit within a certain role as he was already started recognizing for playing "unsympathetic characters" only so, he accepted the role of  Severus Snape, the potions master in the Harry Potter series (2001–2011).

At first, he was unsure about his role because at that time he was known for comedy films but J.K. Rowling, an author of Harry Potter wanted him to play Severus Snape role. 

Some of his notable films include Judas Kiss (1998), Galaxy Quest (1999), Blow Dry (2001),  Love Actually (2003), Snow Cake (2006), Nobel Son (2007) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Bottle Shock (2008),  Alice in Wonderland (2010).

After the finale of Harry Potter series in 2011, he starred in a number of the diverse film which enhanced his acting capability like, Gambit, The Bulter, A Promise, CBGB, Eye in the Sky.

Besides movies and series, Rickman also featured in several music videos. Some of his notable musical works include  Adam Leonard's  Not Alan Rickman, A Strolling Player, IN Demand. In 2002, he recited Shakespearian sonnets on the album When Love Speaks.

Alan Rickman's Awards And Nominations

Alan Rickman earned numerous prestigious awards during his lifetime for his dedication and contribution to the film industry. He received his first award nomination in 1987 at Tony Award for Les Liaisons Dangereuses. In 1991, his performance in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves earned Rickman his first award, BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

In 1996, Rickman won Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award along with Screen Actors Guild Awards for Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny. He received his first award for Harry Potter in 2009 at Scream Awards. He was also honored with People's Choice Awards and MTV Movie Awards for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.

Alan Rickman's Net Worth

Alan Rickman had an estimated net worth of $16 million which he acc u mulated from his acting career. He earned millions for his appearances in movies and TV series. He owned a luxurious house at London.

Rickman was part of many blockbuster movies which helped to uplit his acting career. Some of them are listed below,            

Alan Rickman's Personal Life

Alan Rickman was married to his longtime girlfriend, Rima Horton. Horton was a  Labour Party councilor and economics lecturer. The duo exchanged a vow at an intimate ceremony in New York City in 2012 which Rickman confirmed during an interview in 2015.

He said,

"It was great because no one was there. After the ceremony in New York, we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and ate lunch.”

The duo first met in 1965 when Rickman was 19 and Horton was 18. The couple was together from 1977 until Rickman's death in 2016. They were one of the most loved couples in Hollywood. 

Rickman was an honorary president of the International Performers' Aid Trust and active patron of the research foundation Saving Faces. He helped many social organizations. During an interview, he shared his opinion about politics and said,

"I was born a card-carrying member of the Labour Party".

Alan Rickman was the godfather of fellow actor Tom Burke. In 1995, he was chosen as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history by Empire magazine. He also voted in Empire magazine's Greatest Living Movie Stars over the age of 50 where he ranked 19.

Rickman shared a good bonding with  Canada's former Governor General,  Adrienne Clarkson, and  Sharman Macdonald. He served as the best man at the wedding of Dexter Fletcher and Dalia Ibelhauptaite.   

Alan Rickman's Death

Alan Rickman suffered a minor stroke in 2015 which led to the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He was unaware of the seriousness of his diseases until the last moment. He died at the age of 69 on January 14, 2016, in London.           

His death saddened his collaborators and many fans. His fans created a memorial underneath the Platform 9¾ sign at London King's Cross railway station. Many of his co-stars posted emotional and heart touching post on their respective social media. 

Renowned writer and director, Kevin Smith told a tearful 10-minute story about Rickman on his Hollywood Babble-On podcast. Rickman died during the post-production of Alice Through the Looking Gla s s, and after his demise, the movie was dedicated to him.

Here is the video of Top Ten  Alan Rickman Performances