Alan Rachins, ‘LA Law’ and ‘Dharma & Greg’ Star, Passes Away — Cause of Death Revealed
Alan Rachins, renowned for his character as the eccentric attorney Douglas Brackman Jr. on “L.A. Law,” passed away over the weekend, his wife revealed.
Alan Rachins, the gifted actor whose vibrant on-screen performances captivated audiences for decades, passed away on November 2 at age 82.
Alan Rachins and Joanna Frank at Spago in West Hollywood, California, on April 15, 1993 | Source: Getty Images
According to The Hollywood Reporter, his wife, actress Joanna Frank, said he passed away early that morning from heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Rachins’ career spanned decades, beginning on Broadway with his debut in “After the Rain” in 1967. He soon gained widespread attention in the provocative musical revue “Oh! Calcutta,” setting the stage for a remarkable journey in TV and film.
Alan Rachins attends the ABC Summer Press Tour in Pasadena, California, on July 29, 1999 | Source: Getty Images
His TV career was defined by his memorable portrayal of Douglas Brackman Jr., the shrewd yet bumbling attorney on L.A. Law, a role he played for eight seasons, from 1986 to 1994.
Alan Rachins as Douglas Brackman, Jr.; Michael Tucker as Stuart Markowitz; Richard Dysart as Leland McKenzie; Jill Eikenberry as Ann Kelsey; Harry Hamlin as Michael Kuzak in the 1986 series “L.A. Law” | Source: Getty Images
Known for his eccentric personality, Brackman became a fan favorite on “L.A. Law,” earning Rachins an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1988.
He also scored a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television.
Alan Rachins and his wife, Joanna Frank, attend the 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards party in West Hollywood, California, on August 28, 1988 | Source: Getty Images
Reflecting on his character’s evolution, he shared insights in a 1990 interview with The New York Times, and recalled Brackman’s initial portrayal in the pilot episode as a strict, frugal office manager, lacking vibrance or quirky traits.
Over time, he noted, the character grew from a limited role into one with “a lot more color...
