Actor Alan Rachins, Known forL.A. LawandDharma & Greg, Dies at 82

Mar. 15, 2025

Alan Rachins.Photo:Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Actor Alan Rachins, best known for starring inL.A. LawandDharma & Greg, has died. He was 82.

Rachins’ wife, actress Joanna Frank, confirmed the news toThe Hollywood Reporteron Saturday, Nov. 2. She told the outlet that Rachins had been experiencing heart failure and died in his sleep early Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The actor’s agent did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Rachins, who was born in Cambridge, Mass., and raised in Boston, later moved to New York City to pursue acting. He studied with such talents as Kim Stanley and Warren Robertson, perTHR.

Alan Rachins as Douglas Brackman Jr. in ‘L.A. Law’.Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank

Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank

His most notable role was in the legal dramaL.A. Law, which debuted in 1986.He played lawyer Douglas Brackman Jr. for nearly a decade until the series ended in 1994.

Rachins was nominated for both anEmmyand aGolden Globein 1988 for his work inL.A. Law. While he did not win either award, the show itself nabbed a total of four Emmys for outstanding drama series in 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991.

Alan Rachins as Douglas Brackman Jr. in ‘L.A. Law’.Eike Schroter/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Eike Schroter/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

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AfterL.A. Law, Rachins went on to tackle comedy, starring in the sitcomDharma & Gregas Lawrence “Larry” Finkelstein, the hippie father ofJenna Elfman’s character Dharma. He starred in all of the nearly 200 episodes of the show, which aired for five seasons from 1997 to 2002.

Actor Alan Rachins attends the 1989 premiere of ‘When Harry Met Sally’ on July 13, 1989 at the Academy Theater in Beverly Hills, California.Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella Collection via Getty

His last credited role was in the short filmThe Lights Abovein 2023.

source: people.com