He performed in many theater productions over his career. He called the theater his “home.”
But most of his fans knew him from his career in films.
His Big Roles
His role as Hans Gruber, in Die Hard (1988), is still considered one of the best portrayal of a villain of all time.
Alan Rickman Quigley Down Under. Via pinterest.com.
He also had roles in Galaxy Quest, Sweeny Todd, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Alice in Wonderland, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and of course the Harry Potter Series.
Rickman had roles in so many different films and television specials over the years. He has fans from almost every genre.
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The Sense and Sensibility star was passionate about his craft. He acted because he wanted to, not for the fame.
Imdb reports that in an interview he discussed how he made his characters so believable: “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?”
Biography.com remarks on his skill at being an evil villain: “After appearing alongside Tom Selleck in Quigley Down Under (1990), Rickman starred in three successful features in 1991: Close My Eyes; Truly, Madly, Deeply; and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, in which he played an unforgettably arch Sheriff of Nottingham. This role, accentuating the first impression made in Die Hard, cemented Rickman’s image as a “villain” actor—a title Rickman disliked: “I don’t see any of [my roles] as one word. It doesn’t matter what I’m playing: it’s not one word, and I think any actor would say the same.””
His Real Lily
The real love of his life he met at 19. Her name is Rima Horton.
Alan Rickman Quote. Image Courtesy of @danfttroye.
In 2012, Rickman married Rima Horton. The two had been together since 1965. They lived in London, but were married in New York.
He said of her, “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.” (according to imdb.com)
In Remembrance
Most of millennials know Rickman most as Professor Snape. The world has gone to the internet to show their love for the unlikely sweetheart from Harry Potter.
Here are just a few of the brilliant ways that people have remembered Alan Rickman.
Nescafe Philippines Alan Rickman Tribute. Image Courtesy of @nescafePH.