Biography

Alvin Rakoff has directed more than 100 television, film and stage productions. He is now in his 10th decade. And still active.

The twice Emmy Award-winning director has worked with many of the world's most prestigious leading talent, including Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Peter Sellers, Judi Dench, Donald Pleasance, Henry Fonda and Richard Harris.

Alvin Rakoff also gave an unknown extra his first leading role: Sean Connery. He gave drama student Alan Rickman his first professional job. Other young talent nurtured includes Michael Crawford, Simon Russell Beale and Michael Caine.

As well as a producer of much of his screen and stage work, Alvin is also a prolific writer of original screenplays, adaptations, theatre musicals, plays, and three novels. His first novel, & Gillian (Little Brown) was translated into ten languages

Alvin Rakoff was born in Canada. His early days as journalist helped him work his way to a degree at University of Toronto. In 1952 he was seconded by CBC to visit BBC in London. He has lived here ever since.

The late actress Jacqueline Hill was his first wife, with whom he had two children: Dr Sasha Rakoff, Charity Executive and John D Rakoff, film producer. He is now married to Sally Hughes - MD, The Mill at Sonning Theatre.

Alvin is working on the first volume of his memoirs, to be published in 2021.
- IMDb mini biography by: Nick Pourgourides

Alvin Rakoff is a multi-award-winning filmmaker of more than 100 television, film, and stage productions. He is now in his 10th decade. And still active.

Alvin also gave a drama student called Alan Rickman his first professional job. Other young talent nurtured includes Michael Crawford, Judi Dench, Edward Fox, Jeremy Irons, Simon Russell Beale, and many more...

Over the years, Alvin has worked with many of the world's most prestigious leading talent, including Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Henry Fonda, Ava Gardner, Rex Harrison, Roger Moore, Donald Pleasence, Rod Steiger, Shelley Winters, and many more...

As well as a producer of much of his screen and stage work, Alvin Rakoff is a prolific writer of original screenplays, adaptations, theatre musicals, plays, and three novels. His first novel, & GILLIAN (Little Brown, 1996), received great critical praise upon publication, and was subsequently translated into 10 languages.

Alvin Rakoff was born in Canada. His early days as a journalist helped him work his way to a degree at the University of Toronto. In 1952 he was seconded by CBC to visit the BBC. He has lived in London ever since.

The late actress Jacqueline Hill was his first wife, with whom he had two children: Dr Sasha Rakoff, Charity Executive and John D Rakoff, film producer. He is now married to Sally Hughes - MD, The Mill at Sonning Theatre.

In 2021, Alvin published the first volume in his long-awaited series of autobiographies. I'M JUST THE GUY WHO SAYS ACTION deals with casting an unknown actor called Sean Connery in his first leading role. It received great critical and public praise, with Stephen Fry calling it "an absolute blast". Alvin is currently working on the second volume of his memoirs.
- IMDb mini biography by: Nick Pourgourides

Sometimes mangled, his surname is pronounced "Raykoff".