Google marks Harry Potter actor Alan Rickman’s iconic Broadway performance with a special doodle

Known for his languid charms and deep voice, powerhouse actor Alan Rickman is probably most fondly remembered for his role as Severus Snape in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series and as criminal mastermind Hans Gruber in the 1988 action-thriller Die Hard. Interestingly though, the Google Doodle of April 30 is celebrating the English actor’s path-breaking performance in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, a 1987 Broadway play that was “instrumental in launching his career”.  

Did you know Alan - who also essayed memorable characters in films like Sense and Sensibility, Alice in Wonderland and Galaxy Quest - was a natural painter. Born on February 21, 1946 in West London, England, the legendary actor took interest in different art forms, after being encouraged by his teachers and family. But it was acting that he was particularly keen on. After starring in school plays, he earned a scholarship to continue pursuing this interest at Latymer Upper School in London. 

Eventually, Alan studied graphic design at Chelsea College of Art and Design and the Royal College of Art. Then at the age of 26, Alan decided to seriously pursue acting and earned himself a spot at RADA, one of the most prestigious acting schools in the world. This led to the actor being a part of the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he appeared in The Tempest and Love’s Labour’s Lost. In 1985, he starred as anti-hero Le Vicomte de Valmont in the play Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons). His performance in the play earned him a Tony nomination.

After Die Hard, Alan narrated similar antagonist roles in films like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The legendary actor won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for the title character he played in Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny.

There’s another interesting trivia about the Harry Potter actor. He was also a secret diarist! After Alan passed away in 2016, a bundle of pocket diaries - that documented appointments, anniversaries, opening nights and addresses - were revealed.