Widely known for his portrayal of Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films, Alan Rickman is also one of Britain's greatest stage actors, embracing everything from Shakespeare, Chekov and Noel Coward, to directing Ruby Wax on stage. He has also appeared on television in shows as varied as "Rasputin", "The Barchester Chronicles" and "Victoria Wood with all the Trimmings", though global fame came with his move to the big screen. His first part was as terrorist Hans Gruber in "Die Hard" and has gone on to star in such diverse movies as "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves", "Sense and Sensibility", "Dogma" and "Galaxy Quest". Yet behind the glamour lies the west London working-class socialist with strong political principles. Hollywood is the dream factory, yet Rickman's heart is often within the theatre of London. His reputation suggests a man difficult to work with, so is he similar to the characters he plays? Or is that the mark of this great actor - that he is nothing like them? In this revised and updated biography, the author encompasses the private, professional and political life of this enigmatic, charismatic and intensely private actor.