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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Alan Rachins, best known as Douglas Brackman Jr. on L.A. Law and Larry Finkelstein on Dharma & Greg, died on November 2, 2024, at age 82. His family memorial said he died peacefully in his sleep; the Los Angeles Times reported that his family confirmed heart failure as the cause and that he died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Two roles that showed Rachins’s range
On NBC’s legal drama L.A. Law, Rachins played Douglas Brackman Jr., a senior partner whose guarded, status-conscious manner made him a fixture in the firm’s power struggles. On ABC’s sitcom Dharma & Greg, he was Larry Finkelstein, Dharma’s outspoken, former-radical father. The parts placed him in sharply different worlds: one defined by professional hierarchy, the other by countercultural convictions.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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L.A. Law: TV Series Seasons 1-3 DVD Collection | $79.36 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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L.A. Law - The Movie | $76.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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L.A. Law: TV Series Complete Seasons 1-3 DVD Collection | $64.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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L.A. Law: Season 6 | $191.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Law & Order True Crime-l'affaire Menendez | $92.35 | Buy on Amazon |
The Television Academy records one Emmy nomination for Rachins: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for L.A. Law in 1988. It was a nomination, not a win. The Academy’s biography and awards record also notes voice work in animated series including Batman: The Animated Series, Rugrats, Justice League Unlimited and The Spectacular Spider-Man.
His path through theater, writing and television
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on October 3, 1942, Rachins began in New York theater. His official biography lists appearances in the original Broadway productions of After the Rain and Hadrian the Seventh, as well as off-Broadway productions including The Trojan Women and Oh! Calcutta.
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In 1972, he put acting on hold after receiving a fellowship in the American Film Institute’s writing and directing programs. During a later lull in his acting career, he wrote for television, including Knight Rider, Hill Street Blues and Hart to Hart, before returning to screen acting. His biography outlines those theater and filmmaking years, while the Los Angeles Times obituary recounts his television writing work.
What is known about his death
Rachins died on November 2, 2024, aged 82. His family’s memorial says he passed away peacefully in his sleep. The Los Angeles Times reported that his family confirmed heart failure and that he died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The family’s memorial also reproduces a reflection Rachins wrote about pursuing a dream:
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“What makes us choose the lives we live? Many forces shape and mold us. I was fortunate enough to be one of the few lucky people to have a special dream. I was even more fortunate to have the experiences necessary to keep that dream alive. Taking risks, allowing yourself to fail, keeping a sense of humor are all part of keeping a dream alive. May the parts of your childhood ignite into a dream that burns bright. And with luck, support, friends and hard work, may the torch from that dream guide you through your life.”
— Alan Rachins, as reproduced by his family in its memorial.
Where to find the two series
Catalogs and physical releases can vary by country and change over time. Disney+ lists L.A. Law as an eight-season series and includes Rachins in its cast; the listing does not guarantee access in every market. Check the Disney+ listing for your region.
For Dharma & Greg, 20th Century Studios Japan lists a Season 1 DVD box released May 28, 2010. The six-disc regional edition includes English and Japanese audio, plus English and Japanese subtitles. It is a season release, not a complete-series set; check regional compatibility and current stock before purchasing. See the Japanese product listing.
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