Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor Alan Rachins, known for his roles in “L.A. Law” and “Dharma & Greg,” passed away on the early morning of November 2, 2024. He was 82. His death, which occurred at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, was due to heart failure during his sleep, as confirmed by his manager Mark Teitelbaum.
Rachins was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and decided to abandon a prospective career in his family’s food processing business to follow his interest in acting. Inspired by “Rebel Without a Cause,” Rachins moved to New York City and studied acting under Kim Stanley and Warren Robertson.
He gained recognition for his portrayal of Douglas Brackman Jr. on NBC’s “L.A. Law,” a role that earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations in 1988. His character was described as “eloquent, mercenary, and obnoxious.” Rachins appeared in all eight seasons of the legal drama from 1986 to 1994 and later reprised the role in the 2002 TV movie “L.A. Law: The Movie.”
After “L.A. Law,” Rachins played Lawrence “Larry” Finkelstein, the free-spirited father of Jenna Elfman’s character on the ABC sitcom “Dharma & Greg.” He was featured in all 199 episodes during the show’s five-season run from 1997 to 2002.
In his early career, Rachins appeared in the original 1969 Broadway production of “Oh! Calcutta!” where he was among the cast members who disrobed. Before he broke into television, Rachins attended the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, California and started writing TV scripts.
Rachins showcased his versatility throughout his career. He penned episodes for several TV shows, including “Hill Street Blues,” “Hart to Hart,” and “The Fall Guy.” He also directed an episode of the CBS procedural series, “Paris.”
Beyond his two most recognized roles, Rachins made guest appearances on shows like “Dallas,” “The Golden Girls,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” and “Mom.” He also lent his voice to characters, including the Clock King in “Batman: The Animated Series.”
Rachins also earned several film credits, including roles in “Showgirls,” “Thunder Run,” “North,” and “Leave It to Beaver.” His last on-screen performance was in a 2023 episode of “NCIS.”
Aside from acting, Rachins was a Mensa International member and supported Jesse Jackson’s 1988 presidential campaign. He met his future wife, actress Joanna Frank, in an acting class in 1977, and they married the next year. Frank later played his on-screen wife on “L.A. Law.”
He leaves behind his wife, Joanna Frank, and their son, Robert.
