Rickman has been acting for a long time. He started out in theatre and first appeared on TV. His big breakthrough in movies was his role as Hans Gruber in Die Hard. Since then he has been in high profile movies, most notably the Harry Potter franchise in which he played Severus Snape. After a battle with cancer he passed away on the January 14, 2016.
There are a couple of very notable roles he did, but when I have to pick my favorite it has to be Hans Gruber in Die Hard. Although it probably has been more than 15 years since I last saw it, it’s one of those villains who you don’t forget easily.
What’s your favorite Alan Rickman role?
Also available, the many faces of:
[cgview tags=roles num=5 orderby=rand lightbox=0 size=120×120]
Like with the Helen Mirren case, I haven’t seen many of his early works but I’m very curious. As for the best part, I’m torn between the roles in Die Hard and Harry Potter series. I just can’t pick one.
Because it’s you I will allow those two choices Lesya 😉
I love Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and completely adore Marvin, his voice is suited to it so perfectly! I really liked him in a film from the 90s I saw a while back, borrowed from a friend at uni, called Truly Madly Deeply. It’s a bit cheesy but so great. It’s hard to choose a favourite role though, he’s one of my favourite actors.
Yeah Marvin was a very distinct character. Haven’t seen Truly Madly Deeply. He’s a very good actor indeed!
Yes! “The Many Faces of…”!!!!
Nice choice with Alan Rickman! Of course I truly like Rickman in Die Hard and always think of him in that role first, but I can respect it when an actor of Rickman’s caliber can enjoy making a lighthearted comedy and have fun with it. I am referring to Galaxy Quest, which I enjoy very much!!
Always enjoy your enthusiasm for these 🙂
Although it was some years as well since I last saw Galaxy Quest I still remember him in that role. He can be very funny.
Oh my, you made my Friday Nostra!! I LOVE Rickman. I love him for his villainy roles as well as his tender, romantic ones. Oh, not to mention comedy, he’s awesome in Galaxy Quest!! My all time favorite role of his has got to be Col. Brandon in Sense & Sensibility.
Btw, I’ve got to start reading Ruth’s blog, not only do we have the same name but she shares my love for Rickman, yay! 😀
Glad to hear I am able to do so, i aim to please my readers!
Haven’t watched Sense and Sensibility since it really isn’t my type of film, not enough explosions 😉
Ahah, there may not be enough weapon/bomb explosions but there are plenty of explosions of the senses and emotional eruption 😀
Excellent post! Rickman is just awesome, and he has played so many memorable characters. Hans Gruber is probably my favorite as well, but I have yet to see a bad performance from the man.
Thank you! Great to see another vote for Hans Gruber!
Hi, Nostra and company:
I’ve been a fan of Alan Rickman since his role as utterly believable role as terrorist supreme, Hans Gruber in Die Hard.
That created an itch to seek out his many roles in films large and small.
Still think that Rickman’s role as New Orleans Detective David Friedman opposite Emma Thompson’s FBI Agent Sadie Hawkins and psycho bad guy Simon Baker in Judas Kiss from 1998 is some of his best work.
Would also add a lighthearted little known gem from 2001 titled Blow Dry. Where Alan plays a divorced hairdresser combing out the kinks with his ex and son during a small West Yorkshire town’s annual fashion competition.
The above titles are for Ruth, Ruth and Claire. And for anyone who wants to enjoy a consumate actor reveling in every day characters.
Hi Jack, sounds like you are the expert when it comes to Rickman! Thank you for the suggestions!
Say the name ‘Alan Rickman’ and I immediately think of Snape, Hans Gruber and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Looking at this list, though, there’s loads of other great roles I still need to catch him in 😀
By the way, it’s Packer, not Parker but I like you so I’ll let you off 😛
Yeah, his role as sheriff was a memorable one too!
My apologies, I will update it… Wouldn’t want to face your wrath 😉
It’s updated now….do I get your approval 😉
Besides being a great actor, I’ve always enjoyed his straight faced suble humor for example in Dogma
*subtle
Yes, he was great in Dogma! As with many of his roles they just are memorable and you won’t quickly forget about them.
Hans Gruber and Snape are my most memorable ones. Great actor!
Those two seem to be the ones everyone enjoys and got a lot of votes!
I think the most amazing thing is that we don’t love Alan for the characters he plays, but we love the characters because HE plays them. He is one of the most enthralling actors of all time, and I am thrilled that he got his break with Hans Gruber. NO ONE could have played that part better, or even as well as, Alan Rickman.
I have a very difficult time trying to choose a “best” performance, because Alan brings is best to EVERY performance. But I do love Die Hard, and of course, Snape. Blow Dry is a not-as-well-known, but very endearing performance. Dark Harbor was very nice for many reasons… 😛 And I positively LOVED his role as Sinclair in Close My Eyes. Truly, Madly, Deeply was heartwarming. Closet Land was riveting. Sense and Sensibility made you fall in love. But one of my absolute favorites of his performances, which I don’t believe I’ve seen listed here, is his role as Alfred Blalock in Something the Lord Made. If you haven’t seen it, I would HIGHLY recommend it.
I think it would be impossible to actually name a favorite. Each of his performances is different, and he brings something unique and special to every role. Thus, the reason he is PERFECT for “the many faces of”… Thank you for the tribute! (Sorry for rambling…I just love me some Alan Rickman! lol)
Hello Anonymous , I kind of thought you are a big fan of Rickman 😉 Some nice recommendations!
Happy to read you enjoyed this one!
Alan Rickman is my absolute favourite actor (see the Alan Rickman tag on my blog)!! I’ve seen pretty much all of his movies but I want to go through all the faces and see if I missed one. I saw him perform in New York and he was amazing! I hope I can see him again! 😀
I love the fact that most of his movies are online. A lot of them are independent and can’t be ordered so I’m glad I can still watch them. Of course, his blockbuster movies were good, too! He was amazing in Die Hard, he was the greatest actor by far in Harry Potter and he was basically the only good thing about Robin Hood. 😀
Alan Rickman is just…Alan Rickman.
I agree with Annoynomous. I originally watched Alan Rickman because of Harry Potter but now I watch Harry Potter, and a million other things, for Alan Rickman! He’s incredibly talented. I think it’s a shame that he hasn’t one an Oscar but he doesn’t seem to care. I think he knows that he’s brilliant without an award! 😀
Hahaha, yes I checked out your site and it was clear you are a big fan and he is an amazing actor. Did you know that he would originally play the villain in Last Action Hero opposite of Schwarzenegger? Read about it recently and apparently he didn’t do it because his salary demands weren’t met.
Awesome post! I know people usually say they love his villains, but the truth is he is equally as effective playing the heroes. Sense and Sensibility wouldn’t be nearly as good without his performance.
Thanks sati!