Alan Rachins | |
|---|---|
_(cropped)_(2).jpg) Rachins at the 1988 Emmy Awards | |
| Born | Alan Lewis Rachins (1942-10-03)October 3, 1942 Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | November 2, 2024(2024-11-02) (aged 82) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1967–2023 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Steven Bochco (brother-in-law) Jesse Bochco (nephew) |
Alan Lewis Rachins[a] (/reɪtʃɪns/;[2] October 3, 1942 – November 2, 2024) was an American actor and comedian, known for his role as Douglas Brackman inL.A. Law which earned him both Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, and his portrayal of Larry (Dharma's hippie father) on the television seriesDharma & Greg.
Born inCambridge, Massachusetts, on October 3, 1942, Rachins was the only child of Edward and Ida Rachins ofBrookline, Massachusetts.[1][4] Both his parents wereJewish, and his father worked in a family food manufacturing business, Snow Crest.[2] When Alan was 11, his mother died, and because his father often lived away from home while working, Alan was often alone.[2] As a teenager, he saw the filmRebel Without a Cause, which motivated him to pursue acting as a way to channel the loneliness and grief he felt over his home life.[2]
After graduating fromBrookline High School,[5] planning to enter the family business, Rachins enrolled atWharton School of Finance and Commerce at theUniversity of Pennsylvania, but he ultimately dropped out and moved to New York to study acting.[2][3] He later graduated fromEmpire State College in 1974.[6][7]
Beginning in 1967, he performed in a succession of plays, including the original Broadway productions ofAfter the Rain andHadrian the Seventh, as well as the original off-Broadway productions ofThe Trojan Women and the controversialOh! Calcutta![1] In 1972, Rachins put his acting career on hold when he was accepted as a fellow in the writing and directing programs at theAmerican Film Institute.[1] He went on to sell scripts to a variety of shows, includingThe Fall Guy,Hill Street Blues,Knight Rider,Quincy, andHart To Hart.[8]
Despite these successes as a writer and director, Rachins returned to his acting career with a leading role inHenry Jaglom's independent film,Always.[1] This critically acclaimed film brought him widespread attention and ultimately led to his role onL.A. Law.[3] He continued working in feature films, and provided the voice for theClock King in two episodes ofBatman: The Animated Series, and later in one episode ofJustice League Unlimited.
His later theater appearances included the world premiere ofArthur Laurents'Attacks of the Heart at theGeorge Street Playhouse inNew Brunswick, New Jersey. At the Cape Playhouse, he played the part of Matthew Harrison Brady inInherit The Wind. He took the role of "Albin" inLa Cage Aux Folles at the Jupiter Theater,[3] was seen inLove Letters withSwoosie Kurtz at Beverly Hills' Coronet Theatre, and starred in a revival ofPromises, Promises withJason Alexander,Jean Smart, andAlan Thicke at the Freud Theatre inLos Angeles.[9]
Rachins appeared on theABC television seriesEli Stone, playing an attorney in consultation with Stone. For two seasons, he provided the voice ofNorman Osborn in the animated seriesThe Spectacular Spider-Man. He also appeared on theTNT television seriesRizzoli & Isles as a recurring guest star, and guest starred as Frank (Bob's father, and Gabe, PJ, and Teddy's granddad) in theGood Luck Charlie episode "It's a Charlie Duncan Thanksgiving".
Rachins and actressJoanna Frank married in 1978 and had a son. The couple formed the production company Allofit Productions which acquired books and original screenplays to develop for television and feature films. Rachins was a member ofMensa International.[10][11] He supportedMichael Dukakis in the1988 Democratic presidential primaries.[12]
Rachins died from heart failure at theCedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California on November 2, 2024, 30 days after his 82nd birthday.[1]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Thunder Run | Carlos | [13] |
| 1990 | Heart Condition | Dr. Posner | [13] |
| 1994 | North | Defense Attorney | [3] |
| 1995 | Showgirls | Tony Moss | [3] |
| 1997 | Meet Wally Sparks | Judge Randal Williams | [13] |
| 1997 | Leave It to Beaver | Fred Rutherford | [13] |
| 2011 | Answers to Nothing | Ryan's Dad | Voice |
| 2013 | Scooby-Doo! Mecha Mutt Menace | Dr. Ned Staples | Voice; direct-to-video[14] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986–1994 | L.A. Law | Douglas Brackman, Jr. | 171 episodes |
| 1987 | J.J. Starbuck | Pasban Bapu | Episode: "The Circle Broken" |
| 1990 | Ferris Bueller | Himself | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1991 | The Golden Girls | Jason Stillman | Episode: "Even Grandmas Get the Blues" |
| 1992–1994 | Batman: The Animated Series | Temple Fugate / Clock King | Voice, 2 episodes[14] |
| 1994 | Hart to Hart | David Kramer | "Crimes of the Hart" |
| 1996 | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman | Professor Jefferson Cole | 2 episodes |
| 1996 | Rugrats | Lowell, Greek Bully, Donut Man | Voice, episode: "Chanukah"[14] |
| 1996 | Diagnosis: Murder | Dr. Frank Donati | Episode: "Murder Can Be Murder" |
| 1997 | Stargate SG-1 | Colonel Kennedy | Episode: "The Enemy Within" |
| 1997–2002 | Dharma & Greg | Myron Lawrence "Larry" Finkelstein | Main role (117 episodes) |
| 2005 | Justice League Unlimited | Temple Fugate / Clock King | Voice, episode: "Task Force X"[14] |
| 2008–2009 | The Spectacular Spider-Man | Norman Osborn | Voice, 15 episodes[14] |
| 2011 | Good Luck Charlie | Frank Duncan | Episode: "It's a Charlie Duncan Thanksgiving" |
| 2011–2013 | Rizzoli & Isles | Stanley | 6 episodes |
| 2012 | American Dad! | Various | Voice, episode: "Ricky Spanish" |
| 2018 | Grey's Anatomy | Patient | Episode: "Blowin' In The Wind" |
| 2021 | Young Sheldon | Vern | Episode: "The Geezer Bus and a New Model for Education" |
| 2023 | NCIS | Bud | Episode: "Unusual Suspects" |
Composer Steve Reich is 87. Rock 'n' roll star Chubby Checker is 82. Actor Alan Rachins is 81.
The year is being bracketed by two celebratory weekends -- one last June, one this June -- that include class reunions. Last year's event brought more than 2,000 graduates back to the school, including Mr. Wallace, Alan Rachins, a star of 'L.A. Law', and former Gov. Michael S. Dukakis of Massachusetts and his wife, Kitty.
