Biography for Alan Rickman (Severus Snape)

Date of Birth

21 February 1946, Hammersmith, London, England, UK

Birth Name

Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman

Height

6' 1" (1.85 m)

Mini Biography

He was born to Irish and Welsh parents in 1946. He attended the Royal College of Art; he wanted to be a graphic artist. At age 26 he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art where he spent 3 years. Started out in the theatrical version of "Dangerous Liaisons" His first major film was Die Hard (1988) where he was cast as Hans Gruber.

He has been in a relationship with Rima Horton since the 1965. The pair share a home in London. Rima Horton has retired from her lecturing position, and lost her seat on the council she worked for in the local elections of May 2006

Although a highly successful film actor, he has frequently passed up film offers to return to the theater. (A place and activity which he calls "magical" and his "first love".)

He was nominated for Tony award as Best Actor for Broadway revival of "Private Lives", May 2002. Was given the role of Professor Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) only after Tim Roth backed out. He became well-known to the American public with his performance as Hans Gruber in Die Hard (1988).

Studied graphic design before becoming an actor. Named Best Stage Actor for his part in the acclaimed revival of the Noel Coward play Private Lives at The Variety Club Show business Awards 2002.

When he was a child, he had a speech disability: his lower jaw was very tight, causing his words to be indistinctive and muffled. He still has a slight speech impediment, it is the tight lower jaw which gives him his distinctive drawl.

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 part. Warwick Davis wore the robotic suit for Marvin, while Rickman provides the voice.

His portrayal of Hans Gruber in Die Hard (1988) earned him a spot on the American Film Institute's list of the "100 Best Heroes/Villains" as the 46th best villain in film history.

He is 11 years older than Timothy Spall, 12 years older than Adrian Rawlins and Gary Oldman, 17 years older than David Thewlis, and 21 years older than Geraldine Somerville. Nevertheless, the character that the six of them play in the Harry Potter films are meant to be contemporaries and former classmates.

Was J.K. Rowling's personal favorite to play Severus Snape.