ALAN RACHINS - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/25/1984 - HFSID 38238

ALAN RACHINS
Rachins writes about his career as an actor, writer and director
Autograph Letter Signed: "Alan Rachins", 1p, 8½x11. Los Angeles, California, 1984 August 25. To "The American Museum of Historical Documents". In full: "When one's career is floundering in the tunnel and it seems that there is danger of never reaching the light, requests such as these function as flares of hope momentarily invigorating one with confidence to continue the journey even though the destination remains shrouded in mystery. I have acted, written and directed, performed stand-up comedy, done script analysis and have taught acting, but I have yet to find my place in the business of show business. In my ten years as an actor in New York, I did small parts on and off-Broadway and lead roles in Dinner Theatres and summer stock. And I always studied. I was in the original cast of Oh! Calcutta!, a show that is still running today. From there I went back to college and finished my B.A. I had developed an interest in writing and directing, and applied to The American Film Institute. I enjoyed my two years there as much for the change from New York as for what I learned there. Since the AFI, I have acted in small roles on television. Though recently, I completed a supporting role in the new Henry Jaglom film - 'Always', and I am very excited about the film and my role. An extra bonus was acting with my wife, Joanna Frank, in 'Always'. It will be interesting to see how the film does and whether the expectations I have for it will be fulfilled. I've also written episodes for Hart to Hart, Hill Street Blues, Fall Guy and Knight Rider. As well as a number of my own screenplays. I directed James Earl Jones in the T.V. series 'Paris' and recently directed an Equity Waiver Play in Los Angeles. It's an interesting rough & tumble business best described as a long distance run. I've seen many of my contemporaries streak ahead to fame and fortune only to find them drop out of the race because of an inability to cope with success, bad management decisions, a few failures or who knows why. I've seen people puttering along looking like they'd get nowhere suddenly hit it and stay there. As for me, I don't exactly know where the finish line is, but I'm in this race for the duration." Rachins played Eddie and his wife, actress Joanna Frank, was Lucy in the 1985 film, Always, a look at marital relationships that co-starred director/actor Henry Jaglom and his ex-wife, Patrice Townsend. Ironically, Rachins would appear in another film titled Always in 1989, this time a Steven Spielberg-directed fantasy film. Rachins and Frank have been married since March 1978 and have one son. Rachins needn't have worried about his future prospects. The year after this letter, he was cast in one of his best known roles, Douglas Brackman on L.A. Law (1986-1994). Rachins would later enjoy a five-year run as Larry Finkelstein on the TV series, Dharma & Greg (1997-2002), in addition to appearing in several feature films and made-for-TV movies and guest starring appearances on a long list of TV shows from the time he wrote this letter to the present. Lightly creased with folds. Fine condition.