Six degrees of Alan Rickman, Britain's Kevin Bacon

LONDON, July 24 (UPI) -- Film fans regard prolific actor Alan Rickman as the British Kevin Bacon, a BBC America poll indicates.

The Harry Potter, Sweeney Todd, Love Actually and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves star has appeared in dozens of movies, many of which featured huge ensembles, making the number of his co-stars practically countless.

Rickman earned 16 percent of the online vote, narrowly beating out Bill Nighy and David Tennant, who were tied with 15 percent. Michael Caine and Maggie Smith were close behind them.

"He's a leading man and a character actor," the television network's blog said of Rickman. "He's worked in film and in television. He's a fine 'British Kevin Bacon' -- or is Kevin Bacon now simply 'the American Alan Rickman'?"