Alan Rickman is an English actor and theatre director. Alan Rickman is a former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Rickman is known for his performances in the Harry Potter film series.

Alan is the son of Margaret Doreen Rose, a housewife, and Bernard, a factory worker. He has one elder brother, David, a younger brother, Michael, and a younger sister, Sheila. Alan Rickman attended Derwentwater Primary School in Acton.

When he was eight, his father died. He excelled at calligraphy and watercolour painting, and he won a scholarship to Latymer Upper School in London. Alan Rickman attended The Royal College of Art. This education allowed him to work as a graphic designer for the radical newspaper the Notting Hill Herald.