Alan Rafkin

Alan Rafkin began his career as a standup comedian, going on to become one of the most prolific sitcom directors of his era, working on notable series across four decades. After graduating from Syracuse University, Rafkin returned to New York City, where he worked the nightclub circuit telling jokes while also landing the occasional TV role. He found his true calling, however, in 1962, when he directed an episode of "77 Sunset Strip." For the rest of the decade he directed sitcoms that are now recognized as classics of the genre, including the sci-fi-themed "My Favorite Martian," the military comedy "Gomer Pyle, United StatesM.C.," the spy spoof "Get Smart," and the laconic "The Andy Griffith Show"--to name just a few. Rafkin kept busy throughout the 1970s as well, helming episodes of the Neil Simon spin-off "The Odd Couple," the pioneering working-woman show "Mary Tyler Moore," and the long-running "M.A.S.H.." Showing no sign of slowing down into the '80s and '90s, Rafkin scored credits on "Charles in Charge" and "Murphy Brown."