Alan Rachins, L.A. Law and Dharma & Greg Actor, Dead at 82

Alan Rachins, best known for his work on L.A. Law and Dharma & Greg, died Saturday, the actor’s wife Joanna Frank confirms to The Hollywood Reporter. Rachins was 82.

According to Frank, with whom Rachins also shared the screen on several occasions, her husband died in his sleep of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

More from TVLine

On NBC’s L.A. Law, Rachins played attorney Douglas Brackman Jr. for all eight of the legal drama’s seasons (1986–1994), then reprised the role in 2002’s made-for-TV L.A. Law: The Movie. The role earned Rachins a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 1988 Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as a Golden Globe nod that same year.

Rachins also famously portrayed Larry, the hippie father of Jenna Elfman’s Dharma, on the ABC sitcom Dharma & Greg, which ran for five seasons (1997–2002).

TV Stars Who Died in 2024
TV Stars Who Died in 2024

TV Stars We Lost in 2024

View Gallery102 Images

Rachins’ TV resume also includes roles on shows like Dallas, The Golden Girls, Diagnosis Murder, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Rizzoli & Isles and Mom. His final appearance on the small screen came via a 2023 episode of NCIS, in which he guest-starred as Bud.

How will you remember Rachins? Drop a comment with your favorite role(s) below.

Best of TVLine

Sign up for TVLine's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.