Biography
Supporting actor Alan Rachins is best known for playing the insufferable legal eagle Douglas Brackman Jr. on the long-running drama L.A. Law (1986-1994), but he has also appeared in a few feature films. Born in Boston, Rachins studied at the prestigious Wharton School of Finance until he decided to be an actor in New York. While in the Big Apple, he studied under such acting teachers as William Ball,
Kim Stanley, and
Harvey Lembeck. Rachins made his professional debut on-stage and for ten years appeared frequently on and off-Broadway before leaving acting in 1972 to study writing and directing at the American Film Institute. From there he became a script reader and then a writer for shows ranging from
The Fall Guy to
Quincy to
Hill Street Blues. He also occasionally directed television episodes. Rachins had his first major feature-film role in
Henry Jaglom's
Always (1985). Largely due to his work in this film, Rachins and his real-life wife, Joanna Frank, were cast as the Brackmans on L.A. Law. While on the series, Rachins occasionally branched out into television movies. He did not make another feature film until
Heart Condition (1990). Since the demise of his series, Rachins continues to occasionally appear in feature films such as
Leave It to Beaver (1997). On television, he was seen as a regular on the popular ABC sitcom
Dharma and Greg and also continued to appear occasionally in regional theater. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide