Alan Rickman was an English actor who is best known for his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films. He was born in 1946 and passed away in 2016. He was a versatile actor, appearing in many films, television shows, and stage productions. He was also a voice actor, lending his voice to several animated films. His performance as Snape in the Harry Potter films earned him critical acclaim and made him a beloved figure among fans of the series.