Alan Rickman was an English actor who is best known for his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter movies. He was born in 1946 and passed away in 2016. He was a versatile actor, appearing in films such as Die Hard, Love Actually, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. He was also a stage actor, appearing in productions of Shakespeare's plays. His portrayal of Snape in the Harry Potter films earned him critical acclaim and made him a beloved figure among fans of the series.