Severus Snape – Harry Potter (2001-11)

Uttering the words "Mr. Potter" with dripping disdain at every opportunity, Professor Severus Snape is the antithesis of the Boy Who Lived. Cold, sarcastic, and a straight up bully most of the time, author J.K. Rowling actually based the character on a horrible teacher she had during her childhood. But as mean as he can be, Professor Snape, played by Alan Rickman, is still an incredibly powerful wizard whose unsung heroism actually saves Harry Potter and his friends from Voldemort, marking him as one of the most beloved characters of the series.