Was a graphics designer at his own graphic design business for three years before turning to acting

Appeared on stage in such productions as "Ubu Roi" and "Hamlet"

Made American TV debut as Tybalt in "Romeo and Juliet" for "The Shakespeare Plays" on PBS

Joined the Royal Shakespeare Company

Originated role of Le Vicomte de Valmont in RSC's West End production of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" opposite Lindsay Duncan; reprised the role in the RSC's production on Broadway in 1987; earned a Tony Award nomination for his performance

Feature acting debut in "Die Hard" as German terrorist Hans Gruber

Starred as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Kevin Costner's "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves"

Gave acclaimed perfomance in title role of HBO movie "Rasputin"; won Emmy Award

Co-starred in the Oscar-winning film version of "Sense and Sensibility"

Feature directorial debut, "The Winter Guest"; also co-scripted with playwright Sharman MacDonald

Co-starred with Helen Mirren in the London stage production of "Antony and Cleopatra"

Played an angel in Kevin Smith's comedy "Dogma"

Reteamed on stage with Lindsay Duncan for a revival of Noel Coward's "Private Lives"

Cast as Professor Snape in, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," the film adaptation of the first novel of the best-selling fantasy series by J.K. Rowling

Again played Professor Snape in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Starred in the romantic drama "Love Actually"

Starred opposite Mos Def in the HBO drama "Something the Lord Made"; a dramatization of the relationship between heart surgery pioneers Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas; earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a TV Movie

Reprised role of Professor Snape in, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," the third book in the 'Harry Potter' series

Reprised role of Professor Snape in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"; adapted from the fourth book in the fantasy series by J.K. Rowling and directed by Mike Newell

Directed the play "My Name Is Rachel Corrie" at the Royal Court Theatre in London; based on the writings of the 23 year old American woman who was killed on March 16, 2003 by an Israeli Army bulldozer

Co-starred with Sigourney Weaver in the drama, "Snow Cake"

Reprised the role of Professor Snape in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the fifth book in the fantasy series

Played the lecherous Judge Turpin, opposite Johnny Depp, in Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

Portrayed English wine expert Steven Spurrier in "Bottle Shock"

Reprised the role of Professor Snape in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," the sixth book in the fantasy series directed by David Yates

Re-teamed with Tim Burton to play the Caterpillar in "Alice in Wonderland" (lensed 2009)