<P> Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman ( 21 February 1946 -- 14 January 2016 ) was an English actor and director known for playing a variety of roles on stage , television and film . Rickman trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company , performing in numerous theatre productions of both classical and modern . On stage , Rickman is most known for his role as Le Victomte de Valmont in the 1985 production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses , for which he was nominated for both a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play . Rickman was also nominated for a second Tony Award in 2002 for playing the role of Elyot Chase in Noel Coward 's Private Lives . In 1996 , Rickman gained critical recognition for his portrayal of the dark monk Grigori Rasputin in the television film Rasputin : Dark Servant of Destiny winning him a Golden Globe Award , a Primetime Emmy Award , a SAG Award and a Satellite Award all for best actor in a miniseries or television film . Rickman 's most notable roles are through his film work . One of his most famous performances is as the Sheriff of Nottingham in the 1991 film Robin Hood : Prince of Thieves , which earned him a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role . However , Rickman 's most popular role is as the mysterious Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter film franchise . </P>
<P> Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman ( 21 February 1946 -- 14 January 2016 ) was an English actor and director known for playing a variety of roles on stage , television and film . Rickman trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company , performing in numerous theatre productions of both classical and modern . On stage , Rickman is most known for his role as Le Victomte de Valmont in the 1985 production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses , for which he was nominated for both a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play . Rickman was also nominated for a second Tony Award in 2002 for playing the role of Elyot Chase in Noel Coward 's Private Lives . In 1996 , Rickman gained critical recognition for his portrayal of the dark monk Grigori Rasputin in the television film Rasputin : Dark Servant of Destiny winning him a Golden Globe Award , a Primetime Emmy Award , a SAG Award and a Satellite Award all for best actor in a miniseries or television film . Rickman 's most notable roles are through his film work . One of his most famous performances is as the Sheriff of Nottingham in the 1991 film Robin Hood : Prince of Thieves , which earned him a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role . However , Rickman 's most popular role is as the mysterious Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter film franchise . </P>
who is the actor that plays professor snape
who is the actor that plays professor snape
Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman
Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman