Alan Rickman:

Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman was born to Irish and Welsh parents in 1946. His theatrical debut was in 1951, in a Nativity play at his Acton Infants school. In seven years he had won a scholarship that would permit him to attend private school Latymer Upper where he was urged to persue a theatrical career. At twenty-six, he was able to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he spent three years studying.

He began in theatre, where he gained experience, if not entirely happy ones. He was able to obtain several television roles with the BBC, which also provided him his breakthrough role as Obadiah Slope. From television, he moved to theatre. His first performance was in Die Hard. He has played villians such as Rasputin, the Sheriff of Nottingham, and Franz Anton Mesmer.

More recently, he has been performing in the Royal National Theatre-he loves theatre, calling it 'magical' and 'his first love'-and playing a deliciously evil Professor Severus Snape.

Notes from:
The Internet Movie Database accessed electronically on 25 April 2003 from http://www.imdb.com

Sweet, M. (2001). The IOS profile: Alan Rickman. Independent on Sunday accessed electronically on 16 April 2003 from LexisNexis Academic database.

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I'm only including in this list films of Alan Rickman's that I've actually seen. For a full filmography check out the Internet Movie Database page on Alan Rickman.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) - Severus Snape
Obviously I haven't seen this one yet, but I will be!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) - Severus Snape
In my opinion, better than the first Harry Potter and I believe Rickman gets more screentime. Worth it for the duel between Rickman and Branaugh's characters alone!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) -Severus Snape
The first in the Harry Potter movie set. Has some fairly fabulous moments, with Rickman one of the best parts of this film.

Blow Dry (2001) - Phil Allen
A comedy, pretty amusing. I've only seen this once so far, but plan on renting it again sometime as I found it quite enjoyable

Galaxy Quest (1999) - Alexander 'Alex' Dane/Dr. Lazarus
Another comedy, this one is quite over the top. A spoof of Star Trek with a few other sci-fi movies thrown in and mostly a joke directed towards over the top fan. Amusing, but as I said... over the top

Michael Collins (1996) - Eamon De Valera
Drama. I've seen this but I don't remember much about it, or much about Rickman's character in it. It's been quite a while since I watched it

Sense and Sensibility (1995) - Colonel Brandon
Adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. I'd like to marry Colonel Brandon. Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant are co-stars in this fairly decent transformation of novel to screen.

An Awfully Big Adventure (1995) - P.L. O'Hara
Romantic comedy, I believe. It's been a while since I've seen it, and it was not my favourite of Rickman's movies, although mostly I just didn't care for the story. He was, as always, brilliant in it.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) - George, Sheriff of NOttingham
Dramatization of the story of Robin Hood. This was the role that I immediately thought of when I heard Rickman was up for Severus Snape. Absolutely evil villian to the core. Quite a fun adventure!

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