Renowned actor Alan Rachins, best known for his roles in several popular 1990s TV shows, has died at the age of 82.
RadarOnline.com can reveal he died in his sleep early Saturday morning of heart failure. The actor’s death was confirmed by his wife, Joanna Frank.
The Emmy nominee graduated from Brookline High School and spent two years at the Wharton School at Penn before moving to New York to become an actor. He studied alongside acting coach Warren Robertson and The right stuff actress Kim Stanley before making his Broadway debut in 1967 After the rain.
Rachins became a household name for his role in LA lawwhere he appeared in 171 episodes over the eight seasons.
He received both a Golden Globe and Emmy nomination for his performance in the program. He also co-starred with his wife Joanna, playing an estranged couple in constant conflict with each other.
Frank’s late younger brother, legendary TV writer-producer Steven Bochco, had his brother-in-law in mind for the role of Douglas Brackman Jr. when he was assembling the cast of the popular wet show. LA lawco-created by novelist Terry Louise Fisher.
Rachins recalled in a 1990 interview, “In the pilot episode, there was none of the more flamboyant or bizarre side of Douglas; he would become the tough office manager, the penny pincher.
“It was quite limited and I didn’t know where it was going. But soon it took on a lot more color and flamboyance.”
By the time the show ended, the TV show earned four Emmys for “Outstanding Drama Series”.
The beloved actor has also starred in several other shows such as General Hospital, Grey’s Anatomy, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Happy Endings, The Crazy Ones, Young Sheldon And Rugrats.
In addition to acting, Rachins had a prominent career as a writer, being credited for episodes of Hill Street Blues, Heart to Heart And The autumn man. He also directed a 1980 episode of the CBS procedural Parisstarring James Earl Jones.
Rachins then launched “Allofit Productions”, a company focused on adapting books and original screenplays into feature film and television projects.