Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman was born on February 21,1946 in Acton, UK. His parents were Irish/Welsh and he had an older brother, and a younger brother and sister. He was raised in middle-class origins, and always felt uncomfortable with his background. His father died when he was eight, and his mother imbued in him a sense of self-worth and respect for women and fairness.
In 1957, Alan won a scholarship to Latymer Upper,Hammersmith-a school that turned out actors such as Hugh Grant and Mel Smith. There he went into acting and performed in school plays as a member of the 'Gild Drama Club'.
After graduating from Latymer, Rickman was faced with the dilemma of pursuing acting or design. Circumstances saw him enrolled in a three-year art and design course at Chelsea College of Art. It was here that he met his lifetime partner, Rima Horton, and together, they joined an amateur west London acting group called the Brook Green Players. Here again, he was recognized in the newspapers for his acting talent. However, at the time, his conservative background cautioned him to continue with the art career.
Upon graduating in 1968, Rickman worked in various graphic design roles, and eventually formed the company, Graphiti with a group of friends. However, the acting instinct wouldn't go away. He kept up acting, joining the Court Drama Group with Rima Horton, playing many eclectic roles. And then, at 25, he found himself posting a letter to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, asking for an audition. As foolish as he may have thought this was, it was an act that changed his life.'
(Info and quotes cited from Movie Themes:Alan Rickman)
