Alan Rachins, a highly respected actor known for his performances in “L.A. Law” and “Dharma & Greg,” passed away on the morning of November 2, 2024, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He was 82 years old. His manager, Mark Teitelbaum, confirmed that the cause of death was heart failure during sleep.
Rachins was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and decided to forego a career in his family’s food processing industry to follow his dream of acting. The film “Rebel Without a Cause” was a catalyst for his early interest in the field. He moved to New York City to study acting with renowned coaches Kim Stanley and Warren Robertson.
He made a name for himself with his portrayal of Douglas Brackman Jr. on NBC’s “L.A. Law,” a character described as “eloquent, mercenary, and obnoxious.” His performance led to Emmy and Golden Globe nominations in 1988. Rachins was a constant presence on the legal drama, appearing in all eight seasons from 1986 to 1994 and even reprising his role in the 2002 television movie “L.A. Law: The Movie.”
After “L.A. Law,” Rachins took on the role of 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 series’ five-season run from 1997 to 2002.
In his early acting career, Rachins was part of the original 1969 Broadway production of “Oh! Calcutta!” wherein he was among the cast members who disrobed on stage. Prior to his television breakthrough, he studied at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles and started writing TV scripts.
Rachins had a diverse career, writing episodes for various television series such as “Hill Street Blues,” “Hart to Hart,” and “The Fall Guy,” and even directing an episode of the CBS procedural “Paris.”
Besides his notable roles, Rachins made guest appearances on popular shows like “Dallas,” “The Golden Girls,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” and “Mom.” He also lent his voice to characters, most notably as the Clock King in “Batman: The Animated Series.”
Rachins’ filmography includes “Showgirls,” “Thunder Run,” “North,” and “Leave It to Beaver.” His last on-screen appearance was in a 2023 episode of “NCIS.”
Rachins was also known for his high intellect, being a member of Mensa International, and his political involvement, having supported Jesse Jackson’s 1988 presidential bid. He met his future wife, actress Joanna Frank, at an acting class in 1977, and they were married a year later. Frank later played his on-screen wife on “L.A. Law.”
He is survived by his wife, Joanna Frank, and their son, Robert.
