Alan Rachins, a cherished television actor known for his roles in popular shows like LA Law and Dharma & Greg, has passed away in Los Angeles at 82.
Rachins died peacefully in his sleep from heart failure early on Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, his wife, Joanna Frank, shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
A prominent figure on TV screens in the 1980s and 1990s, Rachins was widely recognized for his portrayal of Douglas Brackman, a wealthy, no-nonsense, and charismatic attorney, in LA Law.
Now, the internet is paying tribute to Alan Rachins. An X user named Julian shared how Alan Richards recorded a birthday wish for him. He wrote:
"I'm very saddened to hear of the passing of Alan Rachins. He was a phenomenal actor, and I loved hearing him as both Norman Osborn and Clock King growing up."
Another user remembered Alan Rachins as the voice of The Clock King on Batman's animated series. They wrote:
A recap of Alan Rachins professional life
Alan Rachins enjoyed a distinguished career in television, film, and theater, making his mark as one of the rare actors to lead two successful TV series. He first gained prominence on the Emmy-winning L.A. Law, where his portrayal of the shrewd attorney Douglas Brackman earned him both Golden Globe and Emmy nominations.
Later, he starred as Larry Finkelstein, the quirky, free-spirited father on Dharma & Greg, a role that has kept him a familiar face as the show continues in syndication.
During the early years of his career, he took on a series of notable theater roles, performing in Broadway productions such as After the Rain and Hadrian the Seventh, as well as off-Broadway shows including The Trojan Women and the avant-garde Oh! Calcutta.
In 1972, Rachins shifted gears to focus on writing and directing, joining the prestigious fellowship programs at the American Film Institute. He went on to contribute scripts to popular TV shows like Hill Street Blues, Hart to Hart, Knight Rider, and The Fall Guy. He even directed an episode of Paris with James Earl Jones, and his Hill Street Blues script garnered an Emmy award for actress, Barbara Babcock.
Alan Rachins was also active in television movies and specials, appearing in LA LAW: The Movie, The Elian Gonzalez Story, and The Retrievers. He took on roles in the miniseries Lady Boss, the Perry Mason Mystery, and other projects, showing his versatility across various genres.
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In theater, Rachins returned to the stage for roles in Arthur Laurents' Attacks of the Heart, Inherit the Wind at Cape Playhouse, La Cage Aux Folles at the Jupiter Theater, and Love Letters with Swoosie Kurtz in Beverly Hills.
Apart from theater and cameos, Alan Rachins was also the voice of the villainous Clock King in the animated series Batman: The Animated Series. Additionally, he voiced Norman Osborn in The Spectacular Spider-Man, further cementing his presence in iconic animated television roles. His distinctive voice brought these complex characters to life, adding another notable dimension to his career.
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