An Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman Biography, Actually

Filched from Imdb. com

Alan S.P Rickman was born to Irish and Welsh parents on February 21st, 1946. He is the second of four children, and thus the family was a large one. However, when Rickman was 8 years old, his father - who was a painter - died, and his mother, a rather strong willed woman herself, raised the brood alone.

Alan attended such fine schools in his educational phase from Latymer Upper and the Chelsea College of Art, as, originally, before he came into acting, he had aspirations to become a graphic artist. At the age of 26, he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art where he spent 3 years. His film career began in the theatre, where he starred in the theatrical version of "Les Liasons Dangeruese." When he was seen during one of the performances of the aforementioned play, he was immediately cast as Hans Gruber in his first film Die Hard in 1988. From there, Rickman steadily rose as one of Britain's most formidable film, as well as stage actors.

He lives now in London with politician Rima Horton, his partner of nearly 28 years. Although a highly successful film actor, he frequently passes up film offers to return to the theatre, which, as he says, is a place and activity that he believes to be 'magic' and 'his first love'. He is set to direct "My Name is Rachel Corrie" in April 2005; it is a dramatic production of the life of protestor Rachel Corrie who was crushed by a bulldozer when attempting to stop it from tearing down a Palestinian home.

A Wee Bit of Rickman Trivia

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

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

Lives with politician 'Rima Horton'. [1977 - present]

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.

While filming Die Hard (1988), 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.

When he was a child, he had a speech disability: his lower jaw was very tight, causing his words to be indistinctive and muffled.

Was the original voice of Leonardo Leonardo in the 2000 cartoon based on Kevin Smith's film Clerks. (1994), but was replaced by Alec Baldwin, courtesy of ABC.

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 (1988), 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 (1988) (qv), he is seen firing a gun only once (in the atrium when Gruber realizes Holly is John's wife), 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.

Filmography

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2005) announced

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) Post-production ...As The Voice of Marvin the Robot

Being Released Into Theatres April 29, 2005. (17 Days!)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) completed; post-production ...As Professor Severus Snape

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) ...As Professor Severus Snape

Something the Lord Made (2004) ...As Dr. Alfred Blalock

Love, Actually (2003) ...As Harry

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) ...As Professor Severus Snape

The Search for John Gissing (2001) ...As John Gissing

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) ...As Professor Severus Snape

Blow Dry (2001) ...As Phil Allen

Play (2000) ...As Man

Help! I'm a Fish! (2000) ...As Joe the Fish

Galaxy Quest (1999) ...As Alexander Dane/Dr. Lazarus

Dogma (1999) ...As The Metatron: The Voice of God

Dark Harbour (1998) ...As David Weinberg

Judas Kiss (1998) ...As Detective David Friedman

The Winter Guest (1997) ...As Man in the Street (**He also directed this film)

Michael Collins (1996) ...As Eamon de Valera

Rasputin (1996) ...As Grigori Rasputin

Sense and Sensibility (1995) ...As Colonel Christopher Brandon

An Awfully Big Adventure (1995) ...As P.L O'Hara

Mesmer (1994) ...As Franz Anton Mesmer

Bob Roberts (1992) ...As Lukas Hart III

Close my Eyes (1991) ...As Sinclair

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) ...As George: The Sherrif of Nottingham

Truly, Madly, Deeply (1991) ...As Jamie

Closet Land (1991) ...As the Interrogator

Quigley Down Under (1990) ...As Elliott Marston, the Own of Marston Waters Ranch

The January Man (1989) ...As Ed

Die Hard (1988) ...As Hans Gruber

Television

We Know Where You Live! (2001) ...As One of the Four Yorkshiremen

Revolutionary Witness (1989) ...As Jacques Roux

Spirt of Man: From Sleep and Shadow (1989) ...As Israel 'Of the Ten Tribes No Less' Yates

Fallen Angels (1986) ...As Dwight Billings

Girls on Top (1985) ...As Voice of RADA

Girls on Top (1985) ...As Dimitri Tinker

The Barchester Chronicles (1982) ...As Reverend Obidiah Slope

Smiley's People (1982) ...As Mr. Brownlow

Therese Raquin (1980) ...As Vidal

Romeo and Juliet (1978) ...As Tybalt

Theatre Resume

1957 Coriolanus ..As Volumnia
Performed with: Latymer Upper School

1962 Sgt Musgrave's Dance ...As Annie the barmaid
Performed with: Latymer Upper School

1963 Caucasian Chalk Circle ...As Grusha
Performed with: Latymer Upper School

1963 Knight of the Burning Pestle ...As Humphrey
Performed with:Latymer Upper School

1963 Ali Baba & The 7 Dwarves ...As the Sixth Wife of Ali Baba
Performed with:Latymer Upper School

1964 Portrait of Scythop (Role Unkown)
Performed with:Latymer Upper School

1964 Cloud Over the Morning ...As Grikos
Performed with:Latymer Upper School

1964 The Alchemist ...As Sir Epicure Mammon
Performed with:Latymer Upper School

1965 Night Must Fall ...As Danny
Performed with:Brook Green Players (amateur)
(**Rima played Dora, the maid)

1966-1972 The Borgia Orgy (Role Unknown)
Performed with:Court Drama Group (amateur)

1966-1972 The Hostage (Role Uknown)
Performed with:Court Drama Group (amateur)

1966-1972 Romeo and Juliet ...As Romeo
Performed with:Court Drama Group (amateur)

1966-1972 Measure for Measure (Role Unknown)
Performed with:Court Drama Group (amateur)

1966-1972 View from the Bridge (Role Unknown)
Performed with:Court Drama Group (amateur)

July 1971 Backbone ...As Malcolm Levin
Performed with:Court Drama Group (amateur)
(**Rima played Tania Forbes)

1973 Uncle Vanya ...As Vanya
Performed with:Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) - Vanburgh Theatre Club

1973 Ghosts ...As Pastor Manders
Performed with:RADA - Vanburgh Theatre Club

1973/4 Lower Depths ...As Krivoy Zob
Performed with:RADA - Vanburgh Theatre Club

1974 Little Mary Sunshine ...As Capt Warrington
Performed with:RADA - Vanburgh Theatre Club

1974 Man and Superman ...As Roebuck Ramsden
Performed with:RADA - Vanburg Theatre Club

1974 Measure for Measure ...As Angelo
Performed with:RADA - Vanburgh Theatre Club

1974/5 Babes in the Woods ...As Chorus
Performed with:Library Theatre Company, Manchester

1974 Lock Up Your Daughters ...As Dabble
Performed with: ...Playbill dated 10/30 - 11/74 states Rickman just finished RADA training; Library Theatre Company,
Manchester

1975 There's A Girl In My Soup ...As Andrew Hunter
Performed with:Library Theatre Company, Manchester

1975 Saint Joan ...As The Inquisitor and The Constable of France and Asst. Stage Manager
Performed with:Library Theatre Company, Manchester

1975 You see the Thing Is (Role Unknown)
Performed with:Library Theatre Company, Manchester

1975 Archives (Role Unknown)
Performed with:Library Theatre Company, Manchester

1975 The 36 24 36 Show ...Was the Co Writer
Performed with:Haymarket Theatre Leicester

1975 Romeo and Juliet ...As Paris
Performed with:Haymarket Theatre, Leicester

1975 Guys and Dolls ...As a pickpocket and
Liverlips Louie
Performed with:Haymarket Theatre, Leicester,.UK Tour

1975 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ...As Asher
Performed with:Haymarket Theatre, Leicester,.UK Tour

1976 The Antique Baby (Role Unknown)
Performed with:Haymarket Theatre, Leicester

1976 Nijinsky ...As Nijinsky
Performed with:Sheffield Crucible

1976 The Carnation Gang ...As Daniel
Performed with:Sheffield Crucible

1976 When We Dead Awaken ...As Rubek
Performed with:Sheffield Crucible

1976 As You like It ...As Jaques
Performed with:Sheffield Crucible

1976 Gunslinger Gulth ...As Little Thunder, a Rancher and Chief Black Moon
Performed with:Phoenix Theatre Co, Leicester, UK Tour

1976 Ave to Heard The One about Joey Baker ...Was the Director
Performed with:Travers Edinburgh

1976 Sherlock Holmes ...As Sherlock Holmes
Performed with:Birmingham Rep.

1976 Dick Whittington ...As King Rat
Performed with:Theatre Royal, Bristol

1976/7 Measure for Measure ...As Friar Peter
Performed with:Birmingham Rep. - Edinburgh Festival, European Tour

1976/7 The Devil is an Ass ...As Wittipol
Performed with:Birmingham Rep. - Edinburgh Festival, European Tour

1977 Hamlet ...As Laertes
Performed with:Bristol Old Vic

1977 Ubu Rex ...As Ma Ubu
Performed with:Bristol Old Vic

1977 Man is Man ...As Uriah Shelly
Performed with:Bristol Old Vic

1978 The Tempest ...As Ferdinand
Performed with:Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Stratford

1978 Captain Swing ...As Farquarson
Performed with:RSC, Stratford

1978 Love's Labour's Lost ...As Boyet
Performed with:RSC, Stratford

1978 Antony and Cleopatra ...As Thidias/Alexas
Performed with:RSC, Stratford

1979 Love's Labour's Lost ...As Boyet
Performed with:RSC, Aldwych Theatre, London

1979 Antonio ...As Antonio
Performed with:Nottingham Playhouse

1979 Fears and Miseries of the Third Reich ...As The Judge (and six other roles)
Performed with:Glasgow Citizens

1980 Desperately Yours ...Was an assistant director
Performed with:Colonnades Theater - NY

1980 Commitments ...As Hugh
Performed with:Bush Theatre

1980 The Devil Himself (Role Unknown)
Performed with:Lyric Studio, Hammersmith,. London - it was noted at the time that Rickman was "looking like a sultry Peter Cook"

1980 The Summer Party ...As Nigel
Performed with:Sheffield Crucible

1981 Philadelphia Story ...As Mike Connor
Performed with:Oxford Playhouse

1981 The Brothers Karamazov (Role Unknown)
Performed with:Edinburgh Festival, USSR Tour

1981 The Last Elephant (Role Unknown)
Performed with:Bush Theatre

1981 The Seagull ...As Trigorin
Performed with:The Royal Court - London

1983 Other Worlds ...Was the Asst. Director
Performed with:The Royal Court - London

1983 Bad Language ...As Bob
Performed with:Hampstead Theatre

1983 The Grass Widow ...As Dennis
Performed with:The Royal Court - London

1984 The Lucky Chance ...As Gayman
Performed with:The Royal Court - London

1985 Troilus and Cressida ...As Achilles
Performed with:RSC

Oct. 19, 1985 Gone to Heaven (Back Soon) (Role Unknown)
Performed with:The Other Place - Stratford

1985 - 1986 As You Like It ...As Jaques
Performed with:RSC

1985 - 1986 Les Liaisons Dangereuses ...As Le Vicomte de Valmont
Performed with:RSC - Stratford's Other Place, Barbican, The Pit, London --> Won the Olivier Award for play of the year in 1986 and Evening Standard Award of the same year

1986 Mephisto ...As Hendrik Hofgen
Performed with:RSC, Barbican

1986 Live Wax ...Was the Director
Performed with:Edinburgh Festival

1986 - 1987 Les Liaisons Dangereuses ...As Le Vicomte de Valmont
Performed with:RSC - Broadway - NY (Tony nominee in 1987, lost to James Earl Jones), and the New York Critics Circle Award in 1987.

1988 The Peace of Brest ...As simultaneous translator
Performed with:Barbican Theatre - London

1991 Tango at the End of Winter ...As Kiyomura Sei
Performed with:King's Theatre - Edinburgh Festival, Picadilly - London; Time Out Award - Best Actor

1992 Hamlet ...As Hamlet
Performed with:Riverside Studio - London, UK Tour

1992 Ruby Wax - The Full Wax ...Was a Director
Performed with: Unknown

1995 The Winter Guest ...Was a Director
Performed with:West Yorkshire Playhouse - Leeds, Almeida Theatre - London

1996 Love in a Cold Climate ...As various roles
Performed with:Roundabout Theater, NY (benefit for Almeida Theatre)

1998 Antony and Cleopatra ...As Marc Antony
Performed with:Royal National Theatre's Olivier Theatre - London

Sept. 21, 2001 - March 3, 2002 Private Lives ...As Elyot Chase
Performed with:West End - Albery Theatre - London. Won Evening Standard best actor & play nominee, Variety Award - Best Actor, Theatregoers' Choice Award - Best Actor, Drama Desk Award for Best Revival, Olivier nomination - Best Actor

February 10, 2002 When Love Speaks ...As second half presenter
Performed with:The Old Vic - London

(concert benefit for RADA)

April 19 - Sept. 1, 2002 Private Lives ...As Elyot Chase
Performed with:Richard Rodgers Theatre - NY. Drama League Award - Outstanding Artist, Tony Award - Best Revival, Tony Nomination - Best Actor

Radio Plays

Coming soon!


** If you'd like to see clips from some of Alan's lesser known appearances, check out Brit Bits and Clips! They have many of Alan's rare performances, and are a wonderful community!