Editing Alan Rickman (section)

==Career==

===1974–1988: Theatre roles and film debut ===
After graduating from RADA, Rickman worked extensively with British repertory and experimental theatre groups in productions including [[Chekhov]]'s ''[[The Seagull]]'' and [[Snoo Wilson]]'s ''The Grass Widow'' at the [[Royal Court Theatre]], and appeared three times at the [[Edinburgh International Festival]]. He performed with the Court Drama Group in 1978, gaining roles in ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' and ''[[A View from the Bridge]]'', among other plays. While working with the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] (RSC), he was cast as Jaques in ''[[As You Like It]]'', contributing an essay about his process to the RSC's book ''Players of Shakespeare 2''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/arts-theatre-culture/british-theatre/players-shakespeare-2-further-essays-shakespearean-performance-players-royal-shakespeare-company?format=PB&isbn=9780521389037 |title=Players of Shakespeare 2 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |access-date=9 February 2023}}</ref> He appeared in the 1981 BBC adaptation of [[Émile Zola]]'s novel ''[[Thérèse Raquin]]'', opposite [[Kate Nelligan]] and [[Brian Cox (actor)| Brian Cox]]. He made a brief appearance in one episode of the BBC adaptation of [[John le Carré]]'s ''[[Smiley's People]]'' (1982). His breakthrough role was in ''[[The Barchester Chronicles]]'' (1982), the BBC's adaptation of [[Anthony Trollope|Trollope]]'s first two Barchester novels, as the Reverend Obadiah Slope.<ref name="Beguiling">{{cite news |title=Alan Rickman: Beguiling monster who made Cherie weak at the knees |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/alan-rickman-beguiling-monster-who-made-cherie-weak-at-the-knees-9234250.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307220852/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/alan-rickman-beguiling-monster-who-made-cherie-weak-at-the-knees-9234250.html |archive-date=7 March 2017 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |access-date=8 March 2020 |work=The Independent}}</ref><ref name=RTE14Jan2016>{{cite journal|title=British actor Alan Rickman dies aged 69|journal=RTÉ.ie|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2016/0114/760145-british-actor-alan-rickman-has-dies-aged-69|author=Staff|date=14 January 2016|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=14 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115074654/http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2016/0114/760145-british-actor-alan-rickman-has-dies-aged-69/|archive-date=15 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Guardian14Jan2016/>
{{quote box
| align = right
| width = 30%|It shouldn't be a surprise that Alan Rickman is the only actor to make it onto this Greatest Villains list twice—he does bad deeds with such gusto. Legend has it he kept refusing the role of the Sheriff of Nottingham until it was agreed he could do whatever he liked with it—which, to Kevin Costner's rumoured chagrin, included stealing the whole damn show. Every sneer, every eye-roll, every flourish of splenetic exasperation is a joy to behold. Whether he's cancelling Christmas or cutting your heart out with a spoon, Rickman's crowd-pleasing pantomime villainy is downright heroic.
| source = —''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' on Rickman, ranking his portrayals of the [[Sheriff of Nottingham]] (number 14) and [[Hans Gruber (character)|Hans Gruber]] (number 4) on their list of the greatest villains.<ref>[https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-movie-villains/ "Greatest Villains of All Time"]. ''Empire''. Retrieved 24 February 2019</ref>
}}
Rickman was given the male lead, the Vicomte de Valmont, in the 1985 Royal Shakespeare Company production of [[Christopher Hampton]]'s adaptation of ''[[Les liaisons dangereuses (play)|Les Liaisons Dangereuses]]'', directed by [[Howard Davies (director)|Howard Davies]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rich |first=Frank |author-link=Frank Rich |title=Stage: Carnal abandon in ''Les Liaisons Dangereuses'' |url=http://theater.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=9B0DE7DE1130F932A35756C0A961948260 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=1 May 1987 |access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> After the RSC production transferred to the West End in 1986 and Broadway in 1987, Rickman received both a [[Tony Award]] nomination and a [[Drama Desk Award]] nomination for his performance.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brooks |first=Katherine |title=Alan Rickman Was A Great Film Actor, But He Was A Master of Theater First |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/entry/alan-rickman-theater-actor_5697dc10e4b0778f46f872fa |url-status=live |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date=14 January 2016 |access-date=16 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115125902/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/alan-rickman-theater-actor_5697dc10e4b0778f46f872fa |archive-date=15 January 2016}}</ref> In 1988, Rickman played the antagonist [[Hans Gruber (character)|Hans Gruber]] in the action thriller ''[[Die Hard]]'' in what was his first feature film. His portrayal, starring opposite [[Bruce Willis]], earned him critical acclaim and a spot on the [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains]] list as the 46th-best villain in film history.<ref>{{cite web |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains |url=https://www.afi.com/afis-100-years-100-heroes-villians/ |url-status=live |publisher=AFI.com |access-date=7 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070507035737/http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/handv.aspx |archive-date=7 May 2007}}</ref> Rickman later revealed that he almost did not take the role, for he did not think ''Die Hard'' was the kind of film he wanted to make.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://guru.bafta.org/alan-rickman-a-life-in-pictures-highlights|title=Alan Rickman: A Life in Pictures Highlights|website=BAFTA Guru|access-date=13 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226023636/http://guru.bafta.org/alan-rickman-a-life-in-pictures-highlights|archive-date=26 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1990–2000: Career breakthrough ===
In 1990, he played the Australian Elliott Marston opposite [[Tom Selleck]] in ''[[Quigley Down Under]]'' (1990). The following year, Rickman was cast as the [[Sheriff of Nottingham]] in [[Kevin Reynolds (director)|Kevin Reynolds]]'s film adaptation of ''[[Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves]]'' (1991). In the film, Rickman acted opposite [[Kevin Costner]] and [[Morgan Freeman]]. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' proclaimed that while ''Robin Hood'' "left critics and movie goers underwhelmed, Rickman's gleefully wicked villain became the summer's most talked-about performance".<ref name="mcferran">{{cite magazine |last=McFerran |first=Ann |title=Alan Rickman: Villain |url=https://ew.com/article/1991/08/09/alan-rickman-villain/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=21 October 2019 |date=9 August 1991}}</ref> For his performance he received the [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role]]. Upon winning the award Rickman stated, "This will be a healthy reminder to me that subtlety isn't everything".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICdPZKc9bVY |title=Alan Rickman Wins Supporting Actor for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in 1992 |website=YouTube |date=17 January 2015 |access-date=6 August 2022}}</ref> Despite gaining acclaim within the media for his ability to portray villainous roles in films<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/25/top10.britishvillains/ The Screening Room's Top 10 British Villains] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224183735/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/25/top10.britishvillains/ |date=24 February 2008}}, CNN. Retrieved 14 January 2016.</ref><ref name="mcferran" /> Rickman took issue with being [[Typecasting (acting)|typecast]] as a villain. During this decade he would portray a range of characters that would defy media perceptions.<ref name=ObitSMH>{{cite news |title=Alan Rickman, Obituary |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/alan-rickman-obituary-from-a-council-estate-childhood-to-hollywood-fame-20160115-gm6bea.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=16 January 2016 |access-date=15 January 2016}}</ref>

Rickman soon started to play leading roles such as Man, in the enigmatic film ''[[Closet Land]]'' (1991) alongside [[Madeleine Stowe]]; and he also was the romantic role of Jamie in the independent romance film ''[[Truly, Madly, Deeply (film)|Truly, Madly, Deeply]]'' (1991) which earned him another [[BAFTA Award]] nomination.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bafta.org/heritage/features/100-bafta-moments-22-days-to-go |title=100 BAFTA Moments – Alan Rickman Wins His First BAFTA in 1992 |date=17 January 2015 |website=[[British Academy Film Awards]] |access-date=14 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122022536/https://www.bafta.org/heritage/features/100-bafta-moments-22-days-to-go |archive-date=22 January 2015}}</ref> The film, directed by [[Anthony Minghella]] and starring Rickman and [[Juliet Stevenson]], proved to be a critical success. Rickman was able to break out of the mould of the movie villain, with critic [[Roger Ebert]] noting, "The man is Rickman, who you will look at on the screen, and know you have seen somewhere, and rattle your memory all during the movie without making the connection that he was the villain in ''Die Hard''."<ref>{{cite web |title=Reviews: Truly Madly Deeply |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/truly-madly-deeply-1991 |website=Roger Ebert.com |access-date=6 August 2022}}</ref> Rickman also starred in [[Stephen Poliakoff]]'s ''[[Close My Eyes (film)|Close My Eyes]]'' (1991) with [[Clive Owen]] and [[Saskia Reeves]]. [[Jonathan Rosenbaum]] of ''[[Chicago Reader|The Chicago Reader]]'' praised the film and all three lead performances, calling them "edgy, powerful, and wholly convincing, with Rickman a particular standout."<ref>{{cite news|title=Close My Eyes|url=https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/close-my-eyes/|work=Chicago Reader|date=13 February 1992|access-date=25 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205102432/https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/close-my-eyes/|archive-date=5 December 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> All three of Rickman's performances in ''Close My Eyes'', ''Truly Madly Deeply'' and ''Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'' would win him the [[Evening Standard British Film Awards|Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actor]], and the same performances along with his work in ''Quigley Down Under'' would also win him the [[London Film Critics' Circle Award for Actor of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103129/awards/|title=Truly Madly Deeply|work=IMDb|access-date=25 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425092302/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103129/awards/|archive-date=25 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1995, he was cast as [[Colonel Brandon]] in ''[[Sense and Sensibility (film)|Sense and Sensibility]]'', [[Ang Lee]]'s film adaptation of [[Jane Austen]]'s [[Sense and Sensibility|novel]]. The film also starred [[Emma Thompson]], [[Hugh Grant]], and [[Kate Winslet]]. Thompson noted that Rickman could express the "extraordinary sweetness [of] his nature," as he had played "Machiavellian types so effectively" in other films.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Thompson |first1=Emma |title=The Sense and Sensibility Screenplay & Diaries: Bringing Jane Austen's Novel to Film |date=1995 |publisher=Newmarket Press |isbn=978-1-55704-260-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SOwmAQAAIAAJ |page=269}}</ref> For his performance, Rickman earned his third [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role]] nomination and his first [[Screen Actors Guild Award]] nomination. The following year he portrayed [[Éamon de Valera]] in the [[Neil Jordan]] period drama, ''[[Michael Collins (film)|Michael Collins]]'' starring [[Liam Neeson]], [[Julia Roberts]], and [[Stephen Rea]]. Rickman earned his fourth [[BAFTA Award]] nomination. In 1996, Rickman starred as the "mad monk" [[Rasputin]] in the HBO television biopic ''[[Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny]],'' a role for which he won a [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie]], a [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie]], and a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/alan-rickman|title=Alan Rickman|work=Television Academy|access-date=26 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017182543/http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/alan-rickman|archive-date=17 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rickman directed ''[[The Winter Guest]]'' at London's [[Almeida Theatre]] in 1995 and the film version of the same play, released in 1997, starring Emma Thompson and her real-life mother [[Phyllida Law]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Film: Em and Phyllida keep it in the family|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/film-em-and-phyllida-keep-it-in-the-family-1137560.html|work=The Independent|date=15 January 2015|access-date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205042053/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/film-em-and-phyllida-keep-it-in-the-family-1137560.html|archive-date=5 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Rickman's stage performances in the 1990s include ''[[Antony and Cleopatra]]'' in 1998 as [[Mark Antony]], with <!-- Not a DBE/Dame until 2003. -->[[Helen Mirren]] as [[Cleopatra]], in the [[Royal National Theatre]]'s production at the [[Royal National Theatre#Olivier Theatre|Olivier Theatre]] in London, which ran from October to December 1998. Rickman appeared in ''[[Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings]]'' (2000), a [[BBC One]] Christmas special with [[Victoria Wood]], playing an aged colonel in the battle of Waterloo who is forced to break off his engagement to [[Honeysuckle Weeks]]' character.<ref>
{{cite web  | title =Christmas TV's First Ladies  | publisher =[[BBC News]]  | date =25 December 2000 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/entertainment/1081854.stm | access-date = 27 November 2021 }}</ref>

During his career, Rickman played comedic roles, including as Sir Alexander Dane/Dr. Lazarus in the cult classic sci-fi parody ''[[Galaxy Quest]]'' (1999) with [[Tim Allen]], [[Sigourney Weaver]], [[Sam Rockwell]], and [[Tony Shalhoub]]. Rockwell said that Rickman "was very instrumental in making sure the script hit the dramatic notes, and everything had a strong logic and reason behind it".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dreamworks-screwed-up-why-galaxy-quest-wasnt-a-bigger-hit-1264866| title = DreamWorks "Screwed Up": Why Cult Classic 'Galaxy Quest' Wasn't a Bigger Hit | first = Byron | last =Burton | date = 24 December 2019 | access-date = 30 December 2019 | work = [[The Hollywood Reporter]] }}</ref> He also played the angel [[Metatron]], the voice of God, in [[Kevin Smith]]'s ''[[Dogma (film)|Dogma]]'' (also 1999).<ref>{{cite news|title=''In the Beginning... The Story of Dogma''|author=Kevin Smith|date=25 October 2000}}</ref>

===2001–2011: ''Harry Potter'' and acclaim ===

In 2001, he first appeared as [[Severus Snape]], the potions master, in ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]''. His portrayal of the role throughout the ''[[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter]]'' series (2001–2011) was dark, but the character's motivations were not clear early on.<ref>{{cite web|last=Berman|first=Craig|url=http://www.today.com/id/19718440/ns/today-today_books/t/potters-foe-severus-snape-good-or-evil/|title=Is Potter's foe, Severus Snape, good or evil?|work=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|TODAY]]|date=16 July 2007|access-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128033414/http://www.today.com/id/19718440/ns/today-today_books/t/potters-foe-severus-snape-good-or-evil/|archive-date=28 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2002, Rickman performed onstage in [[Noël Coward]]'s [[romantic comedy]] ''[[Private Lives]]''. After its successful run at the [[Albery Theatre]] in the West End, it transferred to Broadway and ended in September 2002; he reunited with his ''Les Liaisons Dangereuses'' co-star [[Lindsay Duncan]] and director [[Howard Davies (director)|Howard Davies]] in the [[Laurence Olivier Awards|Olivier]] and [[Tony Award]]-winning production.<ref>Brantley, Ben. [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/29/theater/theater-review-take-hate-add-love-and-shake-tenderly-for-a-coward-cocktail.html "Theater Review; Take Hate, Add Love and Shake Tenderly for a Coward Cocktail"]. ''The New York Times'', 29 April 2002</ref> Rickman also voiced the character of "King Philip" in the 2002 ''[[King of the Hill]]'' episode, "Joust Like a Woman".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0620251|title=Joust Like a Woman|website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=24 March 2023}}</ref>

In 2003, Rickman starred in the ensemble Christmas-themed romantic comedy ''[[Love Actually]]'' (2003) as Harry, the foolish husband of [[Emma Thompson]]'s character. The film, written and directed by [[Richard Curtis]], has been called "a modern classic" by ''[[The Independent]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Love Actually: We now (finally) know what happened with Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson's Harry and Karen |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/love-actually-we-finally-know-what-happened-alan-rickman-and-emma-thompson-s-harry-and-karen-a6771436.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |newspaper=The Independent |date=13 December 2015 |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013152606/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/love-actually-we-finally-know-what-happened-alan-rickman-and-emma-thompson-s-harry-and-karen-a6771436.html |archive-date=13 October 2020}}</ref> Rickman was nominated for an [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for his work as Dr. [[Alfred Blalock]] in [[HBO]]'s ''[[Something the Lord Made]]'' (2004).<ref>{{cite web |title=8th Annual TV Awards (2004) |url=http://www.oftaawards.com/television-awards/8th-annual-tv-awards-2004/ |website=Online Film & Television Association |access-date=8 March 2024}}</ref> In 2005, he lent his voice to [[Marvin the Paranoid Android]] in science fiction comedy ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (film)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' (2005) starring [[Martin Freeman]], [[Sam Rockwell]], and [[Zooey Deschanel]]. 

[[File:MyNameIsRachelCorriePlayhouseTheatre20060329.jpg|thumb|''My Name Is Rachel Corrie''—a play co-written and directed by Rickman—playing at the [[Playhouse Theatre]], London, March 2006]]

In early 2005, ''[[My Name is Rachel Corrie]]'', a play composed from [[Rachel Corrie]]'s journals and emails from Gaza and compiled by Rickman and journalist [[Katharine Viner]], in a production directed by Rickman, premiered at the [[Royal Court Theatre]] in London and was later revived in October 2005. The West End production saw Rickman win the [[Theatregoers' Choice Awards]] for Best Director.<ref>{{cite news |last=Viner |first=Katharine |author-link=Katharine Viner |title='Let me fight my monsters' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/israel/Story/0,2763,1454990,00.html |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=8 April 2005 |access-date=8 March 2024}}</ref> The play was to be transferred to the [[New York Theatre Workshop]] the following year, but when it was postponed indefinitely over the possibility of boycotts and protests from those who saw it as "anti-Israeli [[Agitprop|agit-prop]]", the British producers denounced the decision as censorship, and withdrew the show. Rickman called it "censorship born out of fear". [[Harold Pinter]], [[Vanessa Redgrave]] and [[Tony Kushner]] among others, criticised the decision to indefinitely delay the show.<ref name=WPost>{{cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Adam |title=Alan Rickman, actor who brought dynamic menace to ''Die Hard'' and ''Harry Potter'', dies at 69 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/alan-rickman-actor-who-brought-dynamic-menace-to-die-hard-and-harry-potter-dies-at-69/2016/01/14/f94d1c8e-bac1-11e5-99f3-184bc379b12d_story.html |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=14 January 2016 |access-date=14 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114174322/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/alan-rickman-actor-who-brought-dynamic-menace-to-die-hard-and-harry-potter-dies-at-69/2016/01/14/f94d1c8e-bac1-11e5-99f3-184bc379b12d_story.html |archive-date=14 January 2016 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> The one-woman play finally opened [[off-Broadway]] on 15 October 2006 for an initial run of 48 performances.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gans |first1=Andrew |last2=Simonson |first2=Robert |title=My Name Is Rachel Corrie to Play Off-Broadway's Minetta Lane |url=https://playbill.com/article/my-name-is-rachel-corrie-to-play-off-broadways-minetta-lane-com-133350 |url-status=live |website=[[Playbill]] |date=22 June 2006 |access-date=3 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403131030/https://playbill.com/article/my-name-is-rachel-corrie-to-play-off-broadways-minetta-lane-com-133350 |archive-date=3 April 2016}}</ref> Despite the adverse reaction from pro-Israel groups, overall, the play was very popular, especially in London. "I never imagined that the play would create such acute controversy," Rickman said. He added, "Many Jews supported it. The New York producer was Jewish and we held a discussion after every performance. Both Israelis and Palestinians participated in the discussions and there was no shouting in the theatre. People simply listened to each other."<ref>{{cite news |last=Holden |first=Michael |title=Alan Rickman, Renowned British Actor, Dies at 69 |url=https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/alan-rickman-dies-at-69-1.5390712 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=14 January 2016 |access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="Norton">{{cite news |last=Norton |first=Ben |title=Remembering Alan Rickman's pro-Palestinian play about Rachel Corrie, American activist crushed by Israeli bulldozer |url=https://www.salon.com/2016/01/14/remembering_alan_rickmans_pro_palestinian_play_about_rachel_corrie_american_activist_crushed_by_israeli_bulldozer/ |work=Salon |date=14 January 2016 |access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Alan Rickman by David Shankbone (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Rickman at the 2007 [[Tribeca Film Festival]]]]

He starred in the independent film ''[[Snow Cake]]'' (2006) with [[Sigourney Weaver]] and [[Carrie-Anne Moss]], and ''[[Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (film)|Perfume: The Story of a Murderer]]'' (also 2006), directed by [[Tom Tykwer]]. He appeared as [[Judge Turpin]] in the critically acclaimed [[Tim Burton]] film ''[[Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007 film)|Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street]]'' (2007) alongside [[Johnny Depp]], and his ''Harry Potter'' co-stars [[Helena Bonham Carter]] and [[Timothy Spall]].<ref>{{cite news| last = Ebert| first = Roger| author-link = Roger Ebert| title = Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street| publisher = rogerebert.suntimes.com| date = 21 December 2007| url = http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071220/REVIEWS/712200305| access-date = 24 November 2020| archive-date = 3 October 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121003120512/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20071220%2FREVIEWS%2F712200305| url-status = dead}}</ref> The same year he also played the egotistical, Nobel Prize-winning father in the black comedy ''[[Nobel Son]]'' (2007).<ref>{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=Stephen |date=3 December 2008 |title=Alan Rickman a prized villain in 'Nobel Son' |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2008/12/03/alan-rickman-a-prized-villain-in-nobel-son/ |work=[[Boston Herald]] |access-date=14 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808005225/https://www.bostonherald.com/2008/12/03/alan-rickman-a-prized-villain-in-nobel-son/ |archive-date=8 August 2022}}</ref> Rickman starred in the 2008 movie ''Bottle Shock'' as a Paris-based wine expert named Steven Spurrier, who heads to Napa Valley California in search of worthy wines to bring back to France for the competition that year (based on a true story). In 2009, Rickman was awarded the [[James Joyce Award]] by [[University College Dublin]]'s [[Literary and Historical Society (University College Dublin)|Literary and Historical Society]].<ref name=RTE14Jan2016/> In October and November 2010, Rickman starred in the eponymous role in [[Henrik Ibsen]]'s ''[[John Gabriel Borkman]]'' at the [[Abbey Theatre]], Dublin alongside [[Lindsay Duncan]] and [[Fiona Shaw]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Abbey Theatre – Amharclann na Mainistreach |url=http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/whats_on/event/1299 |url-status=dead |publisher=Abbeytheatre.ie |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716112232/http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/whats_on/event/1299 |archive-date=16 July 2011}}</ref> The ''[[Irish Independent]]'' called Rickman's performance breathtaking.<ref>{{cite news |author=Staff |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/stars-set-stage-alight-in-ibsens-dark-tale-2383120.html|title=Stars set stage alight in Ibsen's dark tale |work=Irish Independent |date=17 October 2010 |access-date=9 July 2011}}</ref> He reprised the role in a production at the [[Brooklyn Academy of Music]].<ref>{{cite web |title=John Gabriel Borkman, with Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Lindsay Duncan, Begins at BAM Jan. 7 |url=https://playbill.com/article/john-gabriel-borkman-with-alan-rickman-fiona-shaw-lindsay-duncan-begins-at-bam-jan-7-com-174952 |website=Playbill |access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Alan Rickman after Seminar (1).jpg|thumb|upright|Rickman at the [[John Golden Theatre]] in 2011]]

In 2010, he starred in the [[BBC]] television production ''[[The Song of Lunch]]'' alongside [[Emma Thompson]]. That same year he provided the voice of [[Caterpillar (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)|Absolem the Caterpillar]] in Tim Burton's film ''[[Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)|Alice in Wonderland]]'' (2010).<ref name=GuardianObit>{{cite news|last=Coveney|first=Michael|title=Alan Rickman obituary|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jan/14/alan-rickman-obituary|date=14 January 2016|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London, UK|access-date=14 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114172132/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jan/14/alan-rickman-obituary|archive-date=14 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Rickman again appeared as [[Severus Snape]] in the final instalment in the ''Harry Potter'' series, ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]'' (2011). Throughout the series, his portrayal of Snape garnered widespread critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite news|last=Singh|first=Anita|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/8622336/Daniel-Radcliffe-Alan-Rickman-deserves-Oscar-nomination-for-Severus-Snape.html|title=Daniel Radcliffe: Alan Rickman deserves Oscar nomination for Severus Snape|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=7 July 2011|access-date=10 October 2013|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402073207/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/8622336/Daniel-Radcliffe-Alan-Rickman-deserves-Oscar-nomination-for-Severus-Snape.html|archive-date=2 April 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kenneth Turan]] of the <!-- No definite article. -->''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' said Rickman "as always, makes the most lasting impression",<ref name="DH2-LATimes">{{cite news|url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-harry-potter-20110714,0,4612921.story|title=Movie review: 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2'|last=Turan|first=Kenneth|author-link=Kenneth Turan|date=13 July 2011|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=13 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812112617/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-harry-potter-20110714,0,4612921.story|archive-date=12 August 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> while [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine called Rickman "sublime at giving us a glimpse at last into the secret nurturing heart that{{nbsp}}... Snape masks with a sneer."<ref name="DH2-RS">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2-20110713|title=Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2|last=Travers|first=Peter|author-link=Peter Travers|date=13 July 2011|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=13 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914075846/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2-20110713|archive-date=14 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Media coverage characterised Rickman's performance as worthy of nomination for an [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]].<ref name=Oscar>{{cite news|url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/11/09/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-for-your-consideration-oscars-ad-launched/|title='Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' For Your Consideration Oscars Ad Launched|last=Schwartz|first=Terri|date=9 November 2011|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=10 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111095507/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/11/09/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-for-your-consideration-oscars-ad-launched/|archive-date=11 November 2011|url-status=dead}}{{indent|3}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/harry-potter-alan-rickman-destined-oscar-nomination-645823|title=Harry Potter: Alan Rickman Destined for Oscar Nomination?|last=Lukac|first=Michael|date=15 July 2011|newspaper=[[International Business Times]]|access-date=7 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009162417/http://www.ibtimes.com/harry-potter-alan-rickman-destined-oscar-nomination-645823|archive-date=9 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> His last appearance as Snape saw him receive award nominations in 2011, including at the [[38th Saturn Awards|Saturn Awards]] and the [[2011 Scream Awards|Scream Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Boucher |first=Geoff |date=7 September 2011 |title='Harry Potter,' 'X-Men: First Class' lead Scream Awards |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/09/07/harry-potter-x-men-first-class-lead-scream-awards/#/0 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=7 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013115504/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/09/07/harry-potter-x-men-first-class-lead-scream-awards/#/0 |archive-date=13 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2011, Rickman opened in ''[[Seminar (play)|Seminar]]'', a new play by [[Theresa Rebeck]], at the [[John Golden Theatre]] on Broadway.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://theater.nytimes.com/2011/11/21/theater/reviews/seminar-by-theresa-rebeck-with-alan-rickman-review.html|title=Shredding Egos, One Semicolon at a Time – 'Seminar' by Theresa Rebeck, a review|first=Ben|last=Brantley|work=The New York Times|date=20 November 2011|access-date=23 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124025354/http://theater.nytimes.com/2011/11/21/theater/reviews/seminar-by-theresa-rebeck-with-alan-rickman-review.html|archive-date=24 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Rickman, who left the production in April, won the Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Favorite Actor in a Play<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.broadway.com/buzz/161907/alan-rickmans-broadwaycom-audience-choice-award-win-brings-back-memories-of-a-very-good-time-in-seminar|title=Alan Rickman's Broadway.com Audience Choice Award Win Brings Back Memories of a 'Very Good Time' in Seminar|first=Ben|last=Brantley|publisher=Broadway.com|date=15 May 2012|access-date=24 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618060228/http://www.broadway.com/buzz/161907/alan-rickmans-broadwaycom-audience-choice-award-win-brings-back-memories-of-a-very-good-time-in-seminar/|archive-date=18 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and was nominated for a [[Drama League Award]] for Outstanding Distinguished Performance.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/2012-Drama-League-Nominations-Announced-20120424|title=2012 Drama League Award Nominations Announced!|first=Ben|last=Brantley|publisher=Broadwayworld.com|date=24 April 2012|access-date=24 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426212948/http://broadwayworld.com/article/2012-Drama-League-Nominations-Announced-20120424|archive-date=26 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2012–2016: Final roles ===
[[File:Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman 2014 TIFF.png|thumb|left|Rickman and [[Kate Winslet]] at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival]]

Rickman starred with [[Colin Firth]] and [[Cameron Diaz]] in ''[[Gambit (2012 film)|Gambit]]'' (2012) by [[Michael Hoffman (director)|Michael Hoffman]], a remake of the [[Gambit (1966 film)|1966 film]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/28/movies/gambit-stars-colin-firth-and-cameron-diaz.html|title=A Caper by the Coens, With a Fake Monet|work=The New York Times|date=27 April 2014 |access-date=14 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211200502/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/28/movies/gambit-stars-colin-firth-and-cameron-diaz.html|archive-date=11 February 2016|url-status=live|last1=Rapold |first1=Nicolas }}</ref> In 2013, he played [[Hilly Kristal]], the founder of the East Village punk-rock club [[CBGB]], in the [[CBGB (film)|''CBGB'' film]] with [[Rupert Grint]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/alan-rickman-to-play-cbgb-founder-in-biopic|editor=The New York Times|title=Alan Rickman to Play CBGB Founder in Biopic|date=12 September 2012|first=Borys|last=Kit|access-date=12 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831083120/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/alan-rickman-to-play-cbgb-founder-in-biopic/|archive-date=31 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, he directed and starred as [[Louis XIV|King Louis XIV]] in the costume drama film ''[[A Little Chaos]]'' starring [[Kate Winslet]], [[Matthias Schoenaerts]], [[Jennifer Ehle]], and [[Stanley Tucci]]. The film premiered at the [[2014 Toronto International Film Festival|Toronto International Film Festival]]. The film received mixed reviews with its critics' consensus reading, "Stylish and well-acted without ever living up to its dramatic potential, ''A Little Chaos'' is shouldered by the impressive efforts of a talented cast."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_little_chaos|title= A Little Chaos (2015)|website= [[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=21 November 2020}}</ref> 

The following year he starred in [[Gavin Hood]]'s ''[[Eye in the Sky (2015 film)|Eye in the Sky]]'' (2015) starring [[Helen Mirren]], [[Aaron Paul]], and [[Barkhad Abdi]]. This would be Rickman's final onscreen performance. The film debuted at the [[2015 Toronto International Film Festival]] to great acclaim, receiving a [[Rotten Tomatoes]] score of 95%, based on 175 critics, with the consensus being, "As taut as it is timely, ''Eye in the Sky'' offers a powerfully acted – and unusually cerebral – spin on the modern wartime political thriller."<ref>{{cite web |title=Eye in the Sky (2015) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eye_in_the_sky |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref> Critic Stephen Holden of ''[[The New York Times]]'' in particular praised his role, writing: "General Benson is Mr. Rickman's final screen performance, and it is a great one, suffused with a dyspeptic world-weary understanding of war and human nature".<ref>{{cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |title=Review: 'Eye in the Sky,' Drone Precision vs. Human Failings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/movies/review-eye-in-the-sky-drone-precision-vs-human-failings.html |work=The New York Times |date=10 March 2016 |access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref>