Alan Rafkin passes away - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Madness · 08-10-2001, 07:27 PM

From Zap2it.com...

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Alan Rafkin, the Emmy-winning sitcom director whose credits include "The Andy Griffith Show" and "M*A*S*H," died in Los Angeles Monday (Aug. 6) of heart disease, reports the AP. He was 73.

During his career, which spanned four decades, Rafkin directed episodes for more than 80 prime-time television series, including "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "I Dream of Jeannie," "Laverne & Shirley," and "Murphy Brown."

In 1982, Rafkin won an Emmy for an episode of "One Day at a Time." He also garnered two cable ACE awards, in 1988 and 1990, for "It's Garry Shandling's Show."

Rafkin attributed his success and longevity to his personality and the fact that, "I wanted to work."

His 1998 memoir, "Cue the Bunny on the Rainbow: Tales from TV's Most Prolific Sitcom Director" took its title from one of Rafkin's first television jobs, cuing the puppeteer who handled a rabbit on "Captain Kangaroo."

The book wasn't all cuddly bunnies: In it, Rafkin called Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams of "Laverne & Shirley" "undisciplined and bratty," although "Suddenly Susan's" Brooke Shields was "the most gracious, funny, respectful young lady."

Rafkin was born in New York and graduated from Syracuse University's School of Management. He began in show business as a nightclub comic and later acted occasionally in prime-time series and soap operas.

JT · 08-10-2001, 07:35 PM

He needs to shut up!I mean he is lucky Penny didn't make him drink milk /w Pepsi!

08-10-2001, 07:27 PM	#1
Madness I call it the rocket Senior Member Join Date: May 03, 2000 Posts: 2,047	Alan Rafkin passes away From Zap2it.com... LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Alan Rafkin, the Emmy-winning sitcom director whose credits include "The Andy Griffith Show" and "MAS*H," died in Los Angeles Monday (Aug. 6) of heart disease, reports the AP. He was 73. During his career, which spanned four decades, Rafkin directed episodes for more than 80 prime-time television series, including "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "I Dream of Jeannie," "Laverne & Shirley," and "Murphy Brown." In 1982, Rafkin won an Emmy for an episode of "One Day at a Time." He also garnered two cable ACE awards, in 1988 and 1990, for "It's Garry Shandling's Show." Rafkin attributed his success and longevity to his personality and the fact that, "I wanted to work." His 1998 memoir, "Cue the Bunny on the Rainbow: Tales from TV's Most Prolific Sitcom Director" took its title from one of Rafkin's first television jobs, cuing the puppeteer who handled a rabbit on "Captain Kangaroo." The book wasn't all cuddly bunnies: In it, Rafkin called Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams of "Laverne & Shirley" "undisciplined and bratty," although "Suddenly Susan's" Brooke Shields was "the most gracious, funny, respectful young lady." Rafkin was born in New York and graduated from Syracuse University's School of Management. He began in show business as a nightclub comic and later acted occasionally in prime-time series and soap operas.

08-10-2001, 07:35 PM	#2
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	He needs to shut up!I mean he is lucky Penny didn't make him drink milk /w Pepsi!