Alan Rickman: A life in pictures

Alan Rickman

Actor of both stage and screen Alan Rickman has died at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy of iconic cinematic and theatrical performances.

Read: Alan Rickman: British actor dies aged 69 after cancer battle

Known for his roles in Die Hard, Harry Potter, Love Actually and Truly Madly Deeply, Rickman's signature baritone earned him frequent roles playing either the villain or a complicated anti-hero.

Here are some of his key moments, in pictures:

  • July 1988

The film which shot Alan Rickman to fame, Die Hard, was released in the US (followed by a February 1989 release in the UK).

He played Hans Gruber, a German terrorist who takes control of a skyscraper as part of a plot to perform a high-stakes heist.

  • March 1992

Alan Rickman was nominated for two BAFTA awards.

He lost out to Silence of the Lambs star Anthony Hopkins in the Best Actor category, but won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Film director John Schlesinger with BAFTA awards host Michael Aspel and BAFTA nominees, Alan Bates, Alan Rickman, Prunella Scales, Haydn Gwynne, Patricia Routledge and Linsay Duncan. Credit: PA

  • January 1998

Rickman made his directorial debut with The Winter Guest, starring Emma Thomson and her mother Phyllida Law.

Phyllida Law, Alan Rickman and Emma Thomson at the preview screening of The Winter Guest Credit: PA

  • October 1998

Rickman starred alongside Helen Mirren in Anthony and Cleopatra at the Olivier Theatre in London.

Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman in Anthony and Cleopatra Credit: PA

  • May 1999

Rickman starred in Kevin Smith movie Dogma, alongside Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino and Salma Hayek, playing an angel and messenger for God (played by Alanis Morrisette).

Linda Fiorentino, Alan Rickman, Ben Affleck and Salma Hayek on the rooftop of the Palais des Festivals, promoting Dogma Credit: PA
Alan Rickman played an angel in Dogma Credit: Lions Gate Films

  • November 2000

Rickman met the Queen at the opening of the new Royal Academy of Dramatic Art building in London.

Queen Elizabeth II meets actors Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman Credit: PA

  • May 2001

The launch of ActionAid week was sponsored by Rickman and Emma Thomson at London's Ivy Restaurant.

Alan Rickman and Emma Thomson help to launch ActionAid Week Credit: PA

  • September 2001

Rickman played Elyot opposite Lindsay Duncan's Amanda in Howard Davies's production of Noel Coward's "Private Lives" at the Albery Theatre in London.

Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan in Private Lives Credit: PA

  • November 2001

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was released, starring Alan Rickman as the sarcastic, formidable anti-hero Professor Severus Snape.

  • May 2004

The third film in the Harry Potter franchise - the Prisoner of Azkaban - premiered Odeon Leicester Square in Central London, starring Rickman as Professor Snape.

Alan Rickman arrives for the UK premiere of Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban Credit: PA

  • August 2006

Rickman starred in film Snow Cake alongside Sigourney Weaver, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival.

Snow Cake director Marc Evans (left) with co-stars Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman Credit: PA

  • October 2007

Alongside other celebrities such as Dame Judi Dench, Emma Thomson, Imelda Staunton, Robbie Coltrane, Richard E Grant and Kenneth Branagh, Rickman performed at the Royal Albert Hall as part of Patrick Doyle's Music From The Movies.

Alan Rickman (third from left) with other celebrities who starred in Patrick Doyle's Music from the Movies Credit: PA

  • January 2008

Musical black comedy Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street opened, starring Rickman as Judge Turpin, Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp.

Alan Rickman, Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp and Timothy Spall Credit: PA

  • July 2011

The premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2) was held in New York, which saw Rickman reprise his role as the imposing Professor Snape.

Alan Rickman signs autographs for eager Harry Potter fans at the movie premiere Credit: PA

  • Nov 2012

The world premiere of Gambit - sponsored by Netflix - starring Rickman, Cameron Diaz, Tom Courtenay, Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci was held in London.

Gambit stars Alan Rickman, Cameron Diaz, Tom Courtenay and Colin Firth Credit: PA

  • March 2014

Rickman was presented with the honorary Kristian award for his contribution to world cinematography at the International Film Festival Febiofest in Prague, Czech Republic.

Rickman was presented with the honorary Kristian award for his contribution to world cinematography at the International Film Festival Febiofest Credit: PA

  • April 2015

A Little Chaos premiered, with Rickman having both starred in and directed the film.

Director and star Alan Rickman with co-stars Helen McCrory and Kate Winslet Credit: PA