Canadian Director Alvin Rakoff Dies at 97

Alvin Rakoff, the distinguished Canadian director known for his work in film and television, passed away at the age of 97 on October 12, surrounded by family in his longtime home in Chiswick, London. Born in Toronto in 1927, Rakoff began his career with the Canadian Broadcasting Company before moving to the UK, where he became the youngest producer/director at the BBC. He gained acclaim for directing notable productions, including 'Waiting for Gillian' and 'Requiem for a Heavyweight,' which launched the careers of Sean Connery and Michael Caine. Rakoff is perhaps best remembered for the 1982 drama 'A Voyage Round My Father,' starring Laurence Olivier, which won him an Emmy. Over his nearly seven-decade career, he directed 11 feature films and more than 100 television and stage productions, leaving a lasting legacy in the industry. Rakoff is survived by his wife Sally Hughes and two children from his first marriage.