Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman was born on the 21st February 1946 in Hammersmith, London to a working-class family. He is now a stage and screen actor arguably most famous for portraying Harry Potter antihero Professor Severus Snape in the film adaptation. Rickman attended the Chelsea College of Art and made his way as a graphic artist in Soho. He received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) which he attended from 1972 - 1974. While there, he won the Emile Littler Prize, the Forbes Robertson Prize, and the Bancroft Gold Medal. Since then, he has been a constant presence on the British stage. Here are a few highlights of his career in theatre: Antony And Cleopatra (1978) Antony And Cleopatra (1998) As You Like It (1985) Bad Language (1983) Cries From The Heart, Human Rights Watch (2003) Dick Whittington (1978) Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1986) Love's Labour's Lost (1978) Mephisto (1985-1986) My Name Is Rachel Corrie (2006) Private Lives (2002) Royal Academy Of Arts (2000) Sherlock Holmes (1976) Tango At The End Of Winter (1991) Tempest (1978) The Peace Of The Brest (1988) Troilus And Cressida (1985) Winter Guest (1995) While working with the Royal Shakespeare Company he starred in, amongst other aforementioned things, As You Like It. He made a particular impression as the male lead in the 1985 Royal Shakespeare Company production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. In 1986 he earned critical and popular acclaim as the elegant and heartless seducer. When the show came across the Atlantic in 1986, Rickman came with it to Broadway and there earned a Tony Award nomination for his performance. Alan has also been featured in several musical works - most notably in a song composed by the English songwriter Adam Leonard. Moreover, the actor played a 'Master of Ceremonies' part in announcing the various instruments in Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells II on the track 'The Bell'. Mr. Rickman was also one of the many artists who recited Shakespearian sonnets (Sonnet 130) on the 2002-released When Love Speaks CD, and is also featured prominently in a Texas music-video entitled "In Demand", which premiered on Europe MTV in August 2000. Filmography: The Villa Golitsyn (2007), as Will Ludley Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), as Severus Snape Nobel Son (2006), as Eli Snow Cake (2006), as Alex Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006), as Antoine Richis Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), as Severus Snape The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) as the voice of Marvin the Paranoid Android Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), as Severus Snape Something the Lord Made (2004), as Dr. Alfred Blalock Love Actually (2003), as Harry King of the Hill-"Joust Like a Woman" (2002) as King Philip Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), as Severus Snape The Search for John Gissing (2001), as John Gissing Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001), as Severus Snape Blow Dry (2001), as Phil Allen Help! I'm a Fish! (2000), as the voice of Joe Play (2000), as M Galaxy Quest (1999), as Alexander Dane/Dr. Lazarus Dogma (1999), as Metatron Alan Rickman as Metatron in DogmaDark Harbor (1998), as David Weinberg Judas Kiss (1998), as Detective David Friedman The Winter Guest (1997) (director) (uncredited), Man in street Michael Collins (1996), as Eamon de Valera Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny (1996), as Grigori Rasputin Sense and Sensibility (1995), as Colonel Brandon An Awfully Big Adventure (1995) as P.L. O'Hara Mesmer (1994), as Franz Mesmer Bob Roberts (1992), as Lukas Hart III Closet Land (1991), as The Interrogator Close My Eyes (1991) as Sinclair Bryant Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), as the Sheriff of Nottingham Truly Madly Deeply (1991) as Jaime Quigley Down Under (1990), as Elliot Marston, an unscrupulous ranch owner The January Man (1989), as Ed, the painter. Die Hard (1988), as Hans Gruber.