Many fans of British cinema and television have noticed a striking similarity between two actors: Ronan Vibert and Alan Rickman. Both have distinctive features, deep voices, and a knack for playing villains. But are they related by blood or just by coincidence? In this article, we will explore the facts and myths behind their resemblance and reveal the truth.
Who is Ronan Vibert?
Ronan Vibert is an English actor who was born in Cambridge on 23 February 1964. He is the son of Dilys Jackson, an English-Scottish sculptor, and David Vibert, a Welsh painter. He grew up in Penarth, South Wales, and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1985.
Vibert has had a long and varied career in theatre, radio, television, and film. He has appeared in such shows as Lovejoy, Jeeves and Wooster, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Rome, The Borgias, Penny Dreadful, and Carnival Row. He has also starred in such films as Shadow of the Vampire, The Pianist, Tomb Raider 2, The Snowman, and Saving Mr Banks.
Vibert is known for his ability to play complex and often sinister characters, such as Giovanni Sforza in The Borgias, Maximilien Robespierre in The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Diarmuid Russell in Saving Mr Banks. He has been praised for his versatility, charisma, and intelligence as an actor.
Who is Alan Rickman?
Alan Rickman was an English actor and director who was born in Acton, London, on 21 February 1946. He was the son of Margaret Doreen Rose Bartlett, of English and Welsh descent, and Bernard Rickman, of Irish descent, who worked at a factory. He had an older brother (David), a younger brother (Michael), and a younger sister (Sheila). His father died when he was eight years old.
Rickman studied graphic design at Chelsea College of Art and Design and the Royal College of Art before pursuing his passion for acting. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1978 and made his Broadway debut in 1987 as the Vicomte de Valmont in Les Liaisons Dangereuses. He received a Tony Award nomination for his performance.
Rickman’s first film role was as the German terrorist leader Hans Gruber in Die Hard (1988), which established him as a master of playing villains. He went on to play memorable antagonists such as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), for which he won a BAFTA Award; Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series (2001-2011); and Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007).
Rickman also showed his range and versatility by taking on romantic, comedic, and dramatic roles in films such as Truly Madly Deeply (1991), Sense and Sensibility (1995), Dogma (1999), Galaxy Quest (1999), Love Actually (2003), Something the Lord Made (2004), and Alice in Wonderland (2010). He also directed two films: The Winter Guest (1997) and A Little Chaos (2014).
Rickman was widely regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation, with a distinctive voice, a commanding presence, and a subtle wit. He was honored with numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He died of pancreatic cancer on 14 January 2016 at age 69.
Despite their striking resemblance and similar careers, Ronan Vibert and Alan Rickman are not related by blood or by marriage. They have different parents, different backgrounds, different birthplaces, and different surnames. They never worked together on stage or screen, nor did they ever publicly acknowledge their likeness.
The only connection between them is that they both attended the same drama school: RADA. However, they were not classmates or contemporaries. Rickman graduated from RADA in 1974, while Vibert graduated in 1985. They were eleven years apart in age and had different teachers and mentors.
Therefore, their resemblance is purely coincidental and not indicative of any familial ties. They are simply two talented actors who happen to look alike.
Conclusion
Ronan Vibert and Alan Rickman are two actors who share a remarkable physical similarity but have no biological or professional relationship. They are both products of RADA but belong to different generations and have different styles and achievements. Their resemblance is a curious case of coincidence that has intrigued many fans but has no deeper meaning or explanation.
