Alan Rickman was an acclaimed English actor known for playing intriguing villains and complex antiheroes. He had a long and successful career on both stage and screen before his death in 2016.
However, despite his talent and popularity, Rickman has also been the subject of intense dislike and even hatred from some people over the years. There are several potential reasons why the acclaimed actor rubbed certain people the wrong way.
Reasons Why People Dislike Alan Rickman
One of the main reasons why Alan Rickman has haters is that his acting style and demeanor were polarizing for audiences. Some people were put off by his slow, drawn-out line delivery and sinister presence on screen.
Rickman had a commanding voice and brooding screen presence that he used to great effect when playing villains. However, some perceived his acting style to be over-the-top or too theatrical. Rickman’s unusual delivery and intonation were iconic for roles like Hans Gruber in Die Hard or Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films, but not everyone enjoyed it.
He Often Played Villains and Dark Characters
Another reason why Alan Rickman rubbed some people the wrong way was the types of characters he portrayed on screen. In Hollywood, he was often cast as the bad guy or a complex antihero.
Some of his most famous roles were villains like Hans Gruber in Die Hard, the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd. He also played morally ambiguous characters like Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films.
For some audiences, Rickman’s sinister screen presence was off-putting. Playing so many dark and disturbed characters took a toll on his public image over time.
He Could Come Across as Aloof or Arrogant
Rickman’s own personality and public demeanor were sometimes seen as aloof, elitist, or arrogant by critics. In interviews over the years, he could come across as dry, sarcastic, and condescending at times.
The actor was notoriously selective about which films he chose to act in. He would actively avoid major Hollywood blockbuster films in favor of more artistic indie films and theater productions. Some saw this as a form of elitism or pretentiousness.
Rickman was also quite protective of his private life and seldom shared details with the media. His evasiveness about his personal affairs occasionally came across as being arrogant or dismissive to fans and reporters.
Political Views Were Controversial
As a vocal liberal and outspoken Democrat, Alan Rickman’s political views inevitably alienated some audiences. He was an advocate for a number of left-leaning causes and organizations over the years.
For example, Rickman was highly critical of former US President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s due to his administration’s policies. This led to him being blacklisted for a period by Hollywood studios. He also caused controversy when he turned down an award from the Israel Film Festival in 2009 due to his support for Palestine.
For conservative audiences already put off by Rickman’s unusual acting style and dark roles, his politics provided yet another reason to dislike the actor. His outspoken liberal views made him a controversial figure in some circles.
He Was Sometimes Difficult to Work With
Over his long career, stories would occasionally emerge painting Alan Rickman as difficult to work with on set. Some directors, crew members and co-stars described him as icy, demanding, and overly serious at times.
For instance, reports surfaced of Rickman clashing with Willis on the Die Hard set due to his insistence on doing multiple takes of scenes. The actor Kevin Costner also once accused Rickman of being quite aloof on the Robin Hood set.
While many defenders of Rickman have characterized him as simply professional and committed to his roles, his demeanor did bother some collaborators. His single-minded focus may have come across as difficult behavior to some.
Table Summary of Reasons for Disliking Alan Rickman
| Reason | Description | |-|-|-|
| Polarizing acting style | Unusual delivery/voice, overly theatrical or slow | | Played villains and dark characters | Typecast as sinister villains and antiheroes | | Aloof or arrogant public persona | Seen as elitist or dismissive due to selectivity and evasiveness | | Controversial political views | Outspoken liberal Democrat, criticized Reagan and supported Palestine | | Difficult to work with | Demanding on set, overly serious or aloof with co-stars |
Rickman’s Legacy and Cultural Impact
Despite being divisive in some circles, Alan Rickman undeniably left a lasting impact through his acclaimed acting career. Here is an overview of his legacy:
Well-Regarded Stage Actor
Long before becoming a film actor, Alan Rickman’s first love was the theater. After graduating from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he co-founded the radical experimental theater company Les Smith Ensemble.
Rickman received great acclaim for his stage work over the decades, including acclaimed runs playing Mark Antony in Antony and Cleopatra and the titular character in Hamlet. British audiences embraced him as a formidable talent of the stage before his Hollywood fame.
Voice Acting Was Iconic
That distinctive Alan Rickman voice was put to memorable use in a number of roles outside of live-action acting. His voice work as Marvin the Paranoid Android in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter video games was hugely popular.
Rickman’s voice acting prowess also earned him acclaim in less expected roles. As Joe the alligator in the Scottish children’s film Help! I’m a Fish, Rickman proved his versatility by creating a voice that entertained kids worldwide.
Directed Critically Acclaimed Films
In addition to acting, Alan Rickman established himself as an accomplished director for both theater and film. His directing credits included the well-received plays The Winter Guest and My Name is Rachel Corrie.
Rickman’s breakthrough as a film director came with 1997’s The Winter Guest starring Emma Thompson. The independent drama earned a number of awards and praise for Rickman’s understated direction. He also directed 2015’s A Little Chaos starring Kate Winslet.
He Was an Early Supporter of Rowling’s Harry Potter Books
When JK Rowling’s Harry Potter book series first became a worldwide phenomenon, Alan Rickman was one of its earliest high-profile fans and supporters. He helped convince Warner Brothers to stay faithful to the books by making the first two films back-to-back.
Rickman’s early faith in the potential of the boy wizard books further cemented his legacy playing their most complex adult character, Severus Snape. The Harry Potter franchise introduced him to a new generation of fans.
Table of Alan Rickman’s Accomplishments and Cultural Impact
| Category | Description | |-|-|-| | Stage acting | Acclaimed theater career before Hollywood films | | Voice acting | Memorable roles in Hitchhiker’s Guide and as Snape in Harry Potter games |
| Directing | Earned praise for directing The Winter Guest and other films | | Early Harry Potter supporter | Helped convince studios to properly adapt Rowling’s books |
Conclusion
In the end, Alan Rickman’s incredible talents as an actor and unique screen presence far outweighed his flaws in the minds of most fans and critics. While his style and personality were certainly unconventional and even off-putting for some audiences, he brought complexity and humanity to every role.
Rickman took villainous roles like Hans Gruber and made them iconic by finding empathy and depth in even the darkest characters. His slower, more theatrical delivery added gravitas and thoughtfulness to performances. And his political outspokenness demonstrated honesty and integrity in an industry not known for it.
Despite never winning an Oscar or receiving similar honors that his talents deserved, Rickman looms large in film history for his unforgettable presence and willingness to take risks. The majority of audiences ultimately found his unconventionality compelling rather than alienating.
Alan Rickman passed away in 2016 at the young age of 69, but the mark he left on film and theater remains indelible. For those who appreciate nuanced acting and fearless performers, Rickman’s legacy lives on as an unlikely leading man who did things his own way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alan Rickman’s Haters
Why did some people dislike Alan Rickman’s unusual acting style?
Alan Rickman developed an iconic slow, drawn-out delivery that brought gravitas and thoughtfulness to his roles. However, some audiences found his unusual voice, pregnant pauses, and theatrical style to be overly mannered or off-putting. His style was polarizing.
What dark or villainous characters was Rickman famous for playing?
Rickman’s breakout role was as the villain Hans Gruber in Die Hard. Other famous villainous roles included the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, and Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films.
How did Rickman sometimes come across as arrogant or aloof?
Rickman was very selective about his film roles and avoided mainstream Hollywood movies, which seemed elitist to some. He was also quite private and evasive when speaking to the media about his personal life. This led to a perception of arrogance.
What were some of Rickman’s most controversial political views or causes?
Rickman was an outspoken liberal Democrat critical of Ronald Reagan’s presidency and policies. He also refused an award from Israel due to his support for Palestine, sparking anger in some quarters.
What are some examples of Rickman being difficult to work with on sets?
Stories emerged of Rickman clashing with Bruce Willis on the Die Hard set due to doing excessive takes. Kevin Costner also once accused Rickman of being aloof and difficult during filming of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
How did Rickman transition from being a stage actor to Hollywood films?
Rickman began as an accomplished theater actor and co-founded an experimental theater company. After studying at RADA, he earned acclaim for stage performances before his film career took off. British audiences embraced him as a star before his US fame.
Why did Rickman’s voice acting stand out?
Rickman used his commanding yet emotive voice to great effect in roles like Marvin in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and as Severus Snape in Harry Potter video games. He could create memorable voices beyond his live action acting.
How did Rickman help convince studios to properly adapt Harry Potter?
When the books were first optioned, Rickman’s passion for the source material helped persuade Warner Brothers to make the first two films simultaneously to better capture the story. This built enthusiasm for the franchise.
Why did most audiences ultimately embrace Alan Rickman’s unconventionality?
Though his style and personality were off-putting to some, Rickman brought depth and empathy to darker characters. His willingness to take risks and commitment to his craft made him compelling for those who appreciated nuance.