85 Best Alan Rickman Quotes That Are Inspirational And Poignant

Alan Rickman was an iconic British actor.

He is known across the world as Professor Snape from 'Harry Potter' series. His other famous roles include the infamous villain Gruber from 'Die Hard' and Harry from 'Love Actually'.

Alan Rickman has played a wide range of characters throughout his entire career proving his versatility and prowess as an actor. Having trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company, his trademarked voice delivery style is easily identifiable. Rickman has won nine major awards including Golden Globe Awards and BAFTA Awards. The world lost this famous actor in 2016 when he sadly passed away from terminal cancer. Be it as The Metatron or Rasputin, you are bound to love these Alan Rickman quotes.

If you like what you read, check out Snape quotes and funny Harry Potter quotes.

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Enlisted below you will find the coolest Alan Rickman quotes from his interviews. You will also find some funny Alan Rickman quotes below.

1."When I'm 80 years old and sitting in my rocking chair, I'll be reading Harry Potter. And my family will say to me, 'After all this time?' And I will say, 'Always'."

-Alan Rickman.

2. "Certainly as actors, and maybe as directors, you’ve got to hang on to something childlike. You’ve got to know what play is."

-Alan Rickman.

3. "And it's a human need to be told stories."

-Alan Rickman on “Nobel Son”. Interview with Aaron Hillis.

4. "Each character I play has different dimensions. I'm not interested in words that pull them together."

-Alan Rickman.

5. "If only life could be a little more tender and art a little more robust."

-Alan Rickman.

6. "I think there should be laughs in everything. Sometimes, it's a slammed door, a pie in the face or just a recognition of our frailties."

-Alan Rickman.

7. "Those of you who are not aware of my brilliant career as a stand up comic, I'm not aware of it either so we might well wonder what we're doing here."

-Alan Rickman.

8. "It would be wonderful to think that the future is unknown and sort of surprising."

-Alan Rickman.

9. "Maverick is a word which appeals to me more than misfit. Maverick is active, misfit is passive."

-Alan Rickman.

10. "Talent is an accident of genes - and a responsibility."

-Alan Rickman.

11. "Actors are agents of change."

-Alan Rickman.

12. "My parents certainly didn't have anything to do with the theatre. I'm some kind of accident."

-Alan Rickman.

13. "Acting touches nerves you have absolutely no control over."

-Alan Rickman.

14. "I love perfumes. Every morning when my girlfriend and I come down to the courtyard in our block of flats we're assailed by the most delicious scent - jasmine round a doorway. It almost makes me swoon."

-Alan Rickman.

15. "I'm still living the life where you get home and open the fridge and there's half a pot of yogurt and a half a can of flat Coca-Cola."

-Alan Rickman.

16. "A film, a piece of theatre, a piece of music, or a book can make a difference. It can change the world."

-Alan Rickman.

17. "I have every sympathy for writers. It's a mystery to me what they do. I can edit. I can cross out and say, 'I'm not saying that'... But where any of it comes from is beyond me."

-Alan Rickman.

18. "I think there's some connection between absolute discipline and absolute freedom."

-Alan Rickman.

19. "That becomes about stamina and discipline… It means years and years of hard work, and you never get it right and the horizon keeps moving away."

-Alan Rickman.

20. "I've never been able to plan my life. I just lurch from indecision to indecision."

-Alan Rickman.

21. "I do take my work seriously and the way to do that is not to take yourself too seriously."

-Alan Rickman.

22. "We're dead as a species if we don't tell stories, because then we don't know who we are."

-Alan Rickman.

23. "If people want to know who I am, it is all in the work."

-Alan Rickman.

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Here are some of the finest Alan Rickman quotes from his early movies. These include an Alan Rickman quote, quotes about Alan Rickman, and some Alan Rickman 'Die Hard' Quotes.

24. "I'm going to go home, mix some paint, and try to create something original. "

-Ed the Painter, 'The January Man' - 1989.

25. "That's a very nice suit, Mr. Takagi. It would be a shame to ruin it."

-Hans Gruber, 'Die Hard' - 1988.

26. "No man knocks me out of my own house!"

-Elliot Marston, 'Quigley Down Under' - 1990.

27. "If you fail, I will personally remove your lying tongue."

-Sheriff of Nottingham, 'Robin Hood Prince of Thieves' - 1991.

28. "Remember, we are both seekers of truth, and in this quest, I am your friend, philosopher, and guide."

-The Interrogator, 'Closet Years', 1991.

29. "By the time they figure out what went wrong, we'll be sitting on a beach, earning twenty percent."

-Hans Gruber, 'Die Hard' - 1988.

30. "I knew there was something extraordinary between you two, something which had to be purged. I don't want to know. There is a limit beyond which I can't go."

-Sinclair, 'Close My Eyes', 1991.

31. "Some men were born in the wrong century. I was born on the wrong continent."

-Elliot Marston, 'Quigley Down Under' - 1990.

32. "Thank you for missing me."

-Jamie, 'Truly Madly Deeply' - 1990.

33. "Sooner or later, I might get to someone you do care about!".

-Hans Gruber, 'Die Hard' - 1988.

34. "Now I have heard that Robin Hood may still be alive. Either tell me where he may be hiding, or you will all be hanged and we will catch him anyway and do the same thing to him."

-Sheriff of Nottingham, 'Robin Hood Prince of Thieves'- 1991.

35. "But, the pain. Your pain. I couldn't bear that."

-Jamie, 'Truly Madly Deeply' - 1990.

36. "I'm going to count to three. There will not be a four."

-Gruber, 'Die Hard' - 1988.

37. "We spend too much time thinking about the end of the world. It isn't going to happen. Today. I promise you. Not before lunch."

-Sinclair, Close My Eyes 1991.

38. "Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mr. Cowboy?"

-Gruber, 'Die Hard' - 1988.

Here are some of the finest Alan Rickman quotes from the films of his middle years. These include quotes from Alan Rickman playing various characters.

39. "Metatron acts as the voice of God. Any documented occasion when some yahoo claims God has spoken to them, they're speaking to me. Or they're talking to themselves".

-The Metatron, 'Dogma' - 1999.

40. "[sarcastically] Almost finished? What else can there be? Are you gonna dip it in yogurt? Cover it with Chocolate Buttons?"

-Harry, 'Love Actually', 2003.

41. "Give me an occupation, Miss Dashwood, or I shall run mad".

-Colonel Brandon, 'Sense and Sensibility', 1995.

42. "You are Bethany Sloane. Nobody can take that away from you, not even God".

-The Metatron, 'Dogma' - 1999.

43. "Sir Alexander Dane: Could they be the miners?

Fred Kwan: Sure, they're like three years old.

Sir Alexander Dane: MINERS, not MINORS".

-Alexander Dane, 'Galaxy Quest',  1999.

44. "I knew a lady very like your sister - the same impulsive sweetness of temper - who was forced into, as you put it, a better acquaintance with the world. The result was only ruination and despair. Do not desire it, Miss Dashwood".

-Colonel Brandon, 'Sense and Sensibility', 1995.

45. "Anyone who isn't dead or from another plane of existence would do well to cover their ears right about now".

-The Metatron, 'Dogma' - 1999.

46. "Well, it's basic, really. Find a venue, over-order on the drinks, bulk-buy the guacamole and advise the girls to avoid Kevin".

-Harry, 'Love Actually', 2003.

47. "Grigori Rasputin: You'll always fail because your soul is dead.

Dr. Botkin: I have performed many autopsies in my time, but I've never located a soul.

Grigori Rasputin: How many memories or emotions have you found?"

-Rasputin, 'Rasputin' - 1996.

48. "Margaret: Have you really been to the East Indies, Colonel?

Colonel Brandon: I have.

Margaret: What's it like?

Colonel Brandon: [mysteriously] The air is full of spices".

-Colonel Brandon, 'Sense and Sensibility', 1995.

49. "Christmas shopping, never an easy or a pleasant task".

-Harry, 'Love Actually', 2003.

50. "Metatron: Stopacoupleofangelsfromenteringandthusnegatingallexistence.

Bethany: Wait, wait, wait. Repeat that.

Metatron: Stop a couple of angels from entering and thus negating all existence. I hate when people need it spelled out for them".

-The Metatron, 'Dogma' - 1999.

51. "Colonel Brandon: Marianne Dashwood would no more think of me than she would of you, John.

Sir John Middleton: Brandon, my boy, do not think of yourself so meanly.

Colonel Brandon: And all the better for her".

-Colonel Brandon, 'Sense and Sensibility', 1995.

52. "Quellek... by Grabthar's hammer... by the Suns of Worvan... you shall be... avenged".

-Alexander Dane, 'Galaxy Quest', 1999.

53. "Jason Nesmith: It's a rock monster. It doesn't have motivation.

Sir Alexander Dane: See, that's your problem, Jason. You were never serious about the craft".

-Alexander Dane, 'Galaxy Quest', 1999.

54. "Before we can repent, we have to sin".

-Rasputin, 'Rasputin' - 1996.

55. "A morsel of bread is more precious to man than a mountain of diamonds and gold, amen".

-Rasputin, 'Rasputin' - 1996.

56. "Hundreds to die, just because you want to play at being commander, you raving lunatic".

-Alexander Dane, 'Galaxy Quest', 1999.

57. "There were five curtain calls. I was an actor once, damn it. Now look at me. Look at me! I won't go out there and say that stupid line one more time".

-Alexander Dane, 'Galaxy Quest', 1999.

Alan Rickman played the iconic character of Professor Snape in the Harry Potter film series. And here are some of the finest quotes by Alan Rickman as Snape including his famous 'always' quote.

58. "Albus Dumbledore: Lily... after all this time?

Professor Severus Snape: Always."

-About Lily Potter, - 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - Part 2',  2011.

59. "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death".

- 'Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone', 2001.

60. "Unless you wish to poison him - and I assure you, I would have the greatest sympathy if you did - I cannot help you".

- 'Harry Potter And The Order Of Phoenix', 2007.

61. "I've been told he's been given every manner of protection possible. Once there, it will be impractical to attack him".

- 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - Part 1', 2010.

62. "Weasley's wand causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending Potter to the hospital wing in a matchbox".

- 'Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets', 2002.

63. "Do I detect a flicker of fear? Ah, yes. The Dementor's Kiss. One can only imagine what that must be like to endure."

- 'Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban', 2004.

64. "Headmaster I too find it difficult to believe this mere coincidence, however, if we are to truly discover the meaning of these events, perhaps we should, for the time being, let them unfold".

- 'Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire', 2005.

65. "[To Hermione] Tell me, are you incapable of restraining yourself, or do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all?"

- 'Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban', 2004.

66. "Veritaserum. Three drops of this and You-Know-Who himself would spill his darkest secrets. The use of it on a student is, regrettably, forbidden."

- 'Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire', 2005.

67. "You have your mother's eyes".

-To Harry before his death, - 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - Part 2', 2011.

68. "Harry Potter: Sectumsempra!

Severus Snape: You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? Yes. I'm the Half-Blood Prince".

- 'Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince', 2009.

69. "Has it ever crossed your brilliant mind that I don't want to do this anymore?"

- To Dumbledore, 'Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince', 2009.

70. "Maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not pay attention! [steps over to Harry] Mister Potter. Our new celebrity".

- 'Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone', 2001.

71. " There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making."

- 'Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone', 2001.

72. "You've kept him alive so that he can die at the proper moment. You've been raising him like a pig for slaughter!"

-'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - Part 2', 2011.

People love Alan Rickman and here are some of his iconic quotes from his work in his later years.

73. "Blue Caterpillar: Who are you?

Alice Kingsley: Absolem?

Blue Caterpillar: You're not Absolem. I'm Absolem. Stupid girl".

- Alan Rickman as Blue Caterpillar, 'Alice In Wonderland', 2010

74. "So fetch the pomade and pumice stone and lend me a more seductive tone, a sprinkling perhaps of French cologne, but first, sir, I think... a shave."

-Judge Turpin, 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street', 2007.

75. “You've been gone too long, Alice. There are matters which might benefit from your attention. Friends cannot be neglected. Hurry.”

- Blue Caterpillar, 'Alice Through The Looking Glass', 2016.

76. "Freeze? I'm a robot. I'm not a refrigerator".

-Marvin the Paranoid Android, 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy', 2005.

77. "You'll kill me, boy? Well here I stand!"

-Judge Turpin, 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street', 2007.

78. "I don't know what you're all worried about. Vogons are the worst marksmen in the galaxy. [He is shot in the back of the head] Now I've got a headache".

-Marvin the Paranoid Android, 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy', 2005.

79. "Never tell a soldier that he does not know the cost of war".

-Lt. Gen. Frank Benson, 'Eye In The Sky', 2015.

80. "If I see your face again on this street, you'll rue the day you were born".

-Judge Turpin, 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street', 2007.

81. "Marvin: I think you ought to know I'm feeling very depressed.

Trillian: Well, we have something that may take your mind off it.

Marvin: It won't work, I have an exceptionally large mind".

-Marvin the Paranoid Android, 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy', 2005.

82. "Judge Turpin: Was he guilty?

Beadle Bamford: Well, if he didn't do it, he's surely done something to warrant a hanging.

Judge Turpin: What man has not?"

-'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street',  2007.

83. "[As they are gazing at the wonder of Magrathea] Incredible... it's even worse than I thought it would be".

-Marvin the Paranoid Android, 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy',  2005.

84. "Alice: Don't go. I need your help. I don't know what to do.

Blue Caterpillar: I can't help you if you don't even know who you are, stupid girl."

-Blue Caterpillar, 'Alice In Wonderland', 2010.

85. "Here I am, brain the size of a planet, and they ask me to take you to the bridge. Call that job satisfaction, 'cause I don't".

-Marvin the Paranoid Android, 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy',  2005.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Alan Rickman quotes then why not take a look at Dumbledore Quotes, or 'Love Actually' quotes.