Alan Rickman filmography and biography
Date of birth: 21 February 1946, Hammersmith, London, England, UK
Alan Rickman 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 where he was cast as
Hans Gruber.
Alan Rickman was born on a council estate in Acton, West London to
Margaret (Welsh) and Bernard (Irish) Rickman. Alan has 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 life
partner. After three years at Chelsea College, he did graduate studies
at the Royal College Of Art. He opened a successful graphics design
business, Graphiti, with friends and ran it for several years before
his love of theatre led him to seek an audition with the Royal Academy
of Dramatic Arts (RADA). At the relatively late age of 26, he received
a scholarship to RADA, which started a professional acting career that
has lasted over 35 years, with no signs of stopping, a career which has
spanned stage, screen and television and has lapped over into directing
as well.
Rickman first came to the attention of American audiences as "Vicomte de
Valmont" in "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" on Broadway in 1987 (he was
nominated for a Tony for his performance in the role). Denied the role
in the film version of the show, Rickman instead made his first movie
appearance opposite Bruce Willis in Die Hard as
the villain, "Hans Gruber". Rickman's take on the urbane villain set
the standard for screen villains for decades to come. Though often
cited as being a master of playing villains, Rickman has actually
played a wide variety of characters, such as the romantic cello playing
ghost "Jamie" in Anthony Minghella's
Truly Madly Deeply and the noble "Colonel Brandon" of
Sense and Sensibility. He's treated audiences to his
comedic abilities with films like Dogma,
Galaxy Quest and
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, and roles like "Dr.
Blalock" in_ Something the Lord Made (2004)_ and "Alex Hughes" in
_Snowcake (2006)_ showcase his ability to play ordinary men in
extraordinary situations.
In 2001, Rickman introduced himself to a whole new, and younger,
generation of fans by taking on the role of "Severus Snape" in the
movie versions of J.K. Rowling's
Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. He has continued
to play the role though the sixth movie
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Most recently,
Rickman took on the daunting task of singing a part in a
Stephen Sondheim musical as he took on the part of "Judge
Turpin" in the movie adaptation of
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Alan Rickman trivia
- (1995) Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film
history (#34).
- (October 1997) Ranked #59 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie
Stars of All Time" list.
- Has been in a relationship with Rima Horton since 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".)
- 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 Sorcerers Stone only after
Tim Roth (I) backed out.
- He became well-known to the American public with his performance as Hans
Gruber in Die Hard.
- Before becoming an actor, he studied graphic design at Chelsea College
Of Art And Design and at the Royal College Of Art, forming a successful
graphic design company, Graphiti, with several friends.
- 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.
- Father died when he was 8 years-old.
- Is the second of four children in his family. He has an older brother, a
younger brother and a younger sister.
- While filming Die Hard, was found proficient at mimicking
American accents; a scene in which Hans Gruber and John McClane finally
meet was then added to the script.
- Made Vice-Chairman of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 2003.
- Was offered the role of Leonardo Leonardo in the 2000 cartoon based on
Kevin Smith (I)'s film Clerks.. 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 was nominated for a 2002 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for
Best Actor of 2001 for his performance in "Private Lives" at the Albery
Theatre, London.
- He was nominated for a 2001 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for
Best Actor for his performance in Private Lives at the Albery Theatre.
- For the shot where Hans Gruber falls from the top of the building in
Die Hard, was actually dropped by a stuntman from a
20-foot high model onto an air bag. To get a genuine surprised look,
the stunt man dropped him on the count of two instead of three.
- In Die Hard, he is seen firing a gun only twice (in the
atrium when Gruber realizes Holly is John's wife and the "shoot the
glass" scene), due to his uncontrollable habit of flinching when the
gun recoiled. In that scene he blinks just before the camera cuts.
- Was voted #19 in Empire Magazine's Greatest Living Movie Stars over the
age of 50.
- Was active in raising funds for the Labour Party.
- Was twice nominated for Broadway's Tony Award as Best Actor (Play): in
1987 for "Les Liaisons Dangereuses", and in 2002 for a revival of
Noel Coward's "Private Lives".
- Two of the Harry Potter films (so far) also feature
Warwick Davis (I) as Professor Flitwick. In
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Rickman and
Warwick Davis (I) play the same part. Warwick Davis (I)
wore the robotic suit for Marvin, while Rickman provides the voice.
- His portrayal of Hans Gruber in Die Hard 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.
- Is good friends with Adrienne Clarkson, Canada's former Governor
General. Rickman visited Adrienne Clarkson's Ottawa, Ontario
home in May 2005.
- Says Canada is like a second home.
- Failed his California driving test at one point for "driving too
cautiously through a green light"
- Was twice nominated for an Laurence Olivier Award as Best Actor
(Play): in 1987 for "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," and in 2002 for a
revival of Noel Coward's "Private Lives".
- Good friend of 'Sharman MacDonald'.
- 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".
- Auditioned for Chris Barrie's character "Rimmer" in
Red Dwarf.
- Godfather of Tom Burke (IV).
- Was Richard Curtis (I)'s choice to play Charles in
Four Weddings and a Funeral. Curtis was very hesitant in
casting Hugh Grant (I) as he had so wanted Rickman.
- Read the script of Snow Cake and suggested
Sigourney Weaver for the role of Linda, having worked with her
on Galaxy Quest. He even telephoned Weaver, and told her
she had to read the script, as there was a role he felt she could play
perfectly in it.
- Angela Pell stated at the Berlinale Press Conference, that she
wrote the role of Snow Cake's Alex Hughes with him in
mind. The character's name in the script was "Alan", and it was Rickman
who suggested the change to Alex.
- The script of Galaxy Quest originally contained a mention
of Alexander Dane having been knighted by Queen Elizabeth. He asked
that this be changed because he believed it was inconsistent with the
character, and all mentions of the knighting were removed. However, the
character is still listed in the credits as "Sir Alexander Dane".
- For Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, he turned down the role
of the Sheriff twice before he was told he could more or less have
carte-blanche with his interpretation of the character.
- Had cello lessons for his part in Truly Madly Deeply, and
while he handles the right (bowing) hand, the left hand is provided by
a real cellist standing behind him with his arm through Alan Rickman's
armpit.
- For his death plunge down the side of the skyscraper in
Die Hard, he actually dropped 20 feet onto an airbag
against a green screen. Director John McTiernan (I) had to jump
first to convince Rickman to do it.
- Chosen by Empire Magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film
history (#83). [2007].
- Was best man at the wedding of Dexter Fletcher (I) and
Dalia Ibelhauptaite.
- Shared a house with Ruby Wax in London in the early 80s.
- Featured twice in Times Online's "The 50 Best Movie Villains" chart: had
the 41st position for his role as the Sheriff of Nottingham in
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and the 10th as Hans Gruber
in Die Hard.
- Not long after Alan Rickman started to play Severus Snape in the first
Potter movie (released in 2001), J.K. Rowling told Rickman some
character secrets about Snape that would not be otherwise revealed
until the last book. Most significantly, for over seven years, Rickman
was one of the very few people other than Rowling to know (years ahead
of the last book's publication) that Snape had been in love with Lily
Evans (later Potter) when they were students at Hogwarts, and both
Snape's protection of and antagonism toward Harry came from that.
Rowling said that she shared this information with Rickman because "he
needed to understand, I think, and does completely understand and did
completely understand where this bitterness towards this boy, who's
living proof of [Lily's] preference for another man, came from".
- Voted #8 on Empire Online's list of 50 Sexiest Movie Men. 52% of readers
voted that he should have been higher on the list. [Oct 2009].
- Attended the funeral of Natasha Richardson.
Alan Rickman quotes
- I do take my work seriously and the way to do that is not to take
yourself too seriously.
- On longtime partner Rima Horton: "I think every relationship should be
allowed to have its own rules. She's tolerant. She's incredibly
tolerant. Unbelievably tolerant. Possibly a candidate for sainthood."
- I have a love-hate relationship with white silk.
- I do feel more myself in America. I can regress there, and they have
roller-coaster parks.
- On not being a father: "I love to travel and I don't have children, so
there is a certain freedom."
- If you spend any time in Los Angeles, there's only one topic of
conversation.
- Los Angeles is not a town full of airheads. There's a great deal of
wonderful energy there.
- I love America because whenever I go home -- there's something about
England and coming from England-- but as soon as you walk down the
steps of the plane you shrink. And you have to start saying "sorry" and
being polite and curtsying and things like that... America just lets me
be the klutz I really am.
- I approach every part I'm asked to do and decide to do from exactly the
same angle: who is this person, what does he want, how does he attempt
to get it, and what happens to him when he doesn't get it, or if he
does?