Rakoffs former personal agent confirmed the news with Deadline this morning.
Born on on February 6, 1927, in Toronto Rakoff was the third of seven children.
After graduating from the University of Toronto with a psychology degree, Rakoff spent time as a news reporter.
Alvin RakoffNick Pourgourides
Within days of arriving, he sold his first fiction script to the BBC.
In those days, the two roles were combined.
And the BBC insisted that trainees be knowledgeable in all forms of television.
Waiting For Gillian(1954) was one of Rakoffs first productions.
It was a play that had failed on the stage but drew acclaim on TV.
Rakoff won his first Emmy Award forCall Me Daddy(1967), starring Donald Pleasance and Judy Cornwell.
Written by John Mortimer and co-starring Alan Bates and Jane Asher, the pic won Rakoff his second Emmy.
Rakoff and Olivier later collaborated on two further projects,Mr.
Halpern and Mr. JohnsonandA Talent for Murder.
His Midas touch with spotting and fostering talent introduced the world to some of the last centurys greatest stars.
Typically he was working on a screenplay right up to the last, Fry said.
A very endearing person.
Rakoff was also the former President of the Directors Guild.
