Where Did Alan Rickman Go To College?
Alan Rickman is remembered as one of the most iconic British actors of his generation. Known for roles like Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films and Hans Gruber in Die Hard, Rickman had an illustrious career on both stage and screen.
However, less is known about Rickman’s early life and education. So where exactly did Alan Rickman go to college?
Alan Rickman’s Early Life and Schooling
Alan Rickman was born on February 21, 1946 in Hammersmith, London to a working class family. His father Bernard was a factory worker and his mother Margaret was a housewife. Rickman had two older brothers, David and Michael, and one younger brother, Paul.
As a child, Rickman attended Derwentwater Primary School. He showed talent for both art and drama at a young age. When he was 11 years old, Rickman earned a scholarship to attend Latymer Upper School in London. While there, he cultivated his interest in drama and performed in several school productions.
After graduating high school, Rickman attended Chelsea College of Art and Design to study graphic design. However, he soon discovered that graphic arts was not his true passion and dropped out after three years of study. This brings us to the central question – where did Alan Rickman pursue his college education after leaving Chelsea College of Art and Design?
Rickman Attends Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
After dropping out of Chelsea College of Art and Design in 1965, Alan Rickman set out to seriously pursue acting. He successfully applied for a spot at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
Established in 1904, RADA is one of the top drama schools in the UK. Its intensive training program accepts just 28 new students each year from over 1,500 applicants. Alumni include stars like Vivien Leigh, Peter O’Toole, and Anthony Hopkins.
At RADA, Rickman flourished under the tutelage of skilled instructors. He studied stage acting technique, cultivated his resonant baritone voice, and appeared in numerous school productions. Rickman graduated from RADA in 1974 with several performance awards under his belt.
So when answering the question “Where did Alan Rickman go to college?” – the answer is he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from 1966-1974 in London after leaving his previous graphic design studies.
Rickman’s Successful Acting Career
After graduating from RADA, Alan Rickman’s acting career took off quickly. In 1985, he made his Broadway debut playing the Vicomte de Valmont in Christopher Hampton’s Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Rickman won a Tony Award for his performance.
That same year, he made his feature film debut as sinister terrorist Hans Gruber in Die Hard. Despite being his first movie role, Rickman’s brilliant portrayal made Hans Gruber one of the most memorable villains in action film history.
Of course, Rickman would gain worldwide fame over the next decade playing the complicated potions master Severus Snape in all eight Harry Potter films. Other notable Rickman roles included the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility, and Ronald Reagan in The Butler.
Rickman continued working prolifically in theater as well, winning rave reviews for acclaimed stage productions like Antony and Cleopatra and Seminar. He directed plays and films later in his career while still taking on select acting roles.
Alan Rickman passed away in 2016 at the age of 69. He leaves behind a tremendous acting legacy thanks in large part to the excellent dramatic training he received at RADA early in his career. So while he briefly attended Chelsea College of Art and Design prior, the true answer to “Where did Alan Rickman go to college?” is the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Table 1: Key Facts About Alan Rickman’s Education
| College | Years Attended | Degree Earned |
|---|---|---|
| Chelsea College of Art and Design | 1964-1965 | None |
| Royal Academy of Dramatic Art | 1966-1974 | Honors degree |
Conclusion
In summary, Alan Rickman attended Chelsea College of Art and Design prior to discovering his passion for drama. After leaving Chelsea, he attended Britain’s premier acting college – the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London from 1966-1974.
The intensive training Rickman received at RADA prepared him to enjoy an acclaimed, decades-spanning acting career before his death in 2016. So while perhaps lesser known, RADA is the definitive answer to the question “Where did Alan Rickman go to college?”
Frequently Asked Questions About Alan Rickman’s Education
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about Alan Rickman’s college background:
Why did Alan Rickman leave Chelsea College of Art and Design?
Rickman left Chelsea after 3 years because he realized graphic design was not his true passion – he wanted to seriously pursue acting instead.
How did Rickman get into the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)?
Rickman had honed his acting talent in school plays. He successfully beat out over 1,500 applicants by auditioning for and impressing the RADA selection committee in 1966.
What types of classes did Rickman take at RADA?
RADA’s intense program focused on teaching method acting techniques, movement, voice and speech. Rickman polished his natural baritone voice and starred in many school productions.
Did Rickman earn any special honors upon graduating RADA?
Yes – Rickman won several awards at RADA for excellence in performance. After graduating in 1974, he quickly earned acclaim starring in plays and films.
How did RADA prepare Rickman for such a successful acting career?
RADA gave Rickman the tools and training to display his innate acting talent. The skills he learned there prepared him for diverse stage and screen roles over his over 40 year career.