Al Rabin Dead at 76

Director and producer Al Rabin passed away on August 14 at the age of 76.

He is best known for the 17 years he spent as a director and then, starting in 1980, executive producer at DAYS OF OUR LIVES (Rabin replaced Wes Kenney in that role).  Rabin started at DAYS in 1975, took a 7-month sabbatical in 1989, and left for good in 1992.  Rabin was nominated for nine Daytime Emmy Awards during his run at at the soap.

Rabin previously directed at GENERAL HOSPITAL.  After DAYS, he was executive producer of 1994's VALLEY OF THE DOLLS.

In our 2009 interview with DAYS actress Judi Evans (Adrienne Kiriakis), she spoke about Rabin: "Al Rabin used to say, 'It all begins with the written word.' If you write it 'well' they will watch."

Ken Corday spoke about Rabin's work during the Sheri Anderson-Thom Racina writing era in our 2010 interview: "Al Rabin was on the other side of the show producing, and he let them write! He said, 'You guys write, I’ll put it on the screen.'"

DAYS stars past and present immediately took to Twitter to pay their respects.

"I was talking to someone about Al Rabin just today," said Deidre Hall. "My dearest Susan Hayes just called to share the sad news that he is gone. Sending light and prayers. A big life, a big loss."

"So sorry for the passing of Al Rabin," wrote Thaao Penghlis (Tony DiMera). "He was a wonderfully passionate producer where integrity was part of the norm. Great memories."

Below is a tribute to Rabin that aired at at the 5th Annual Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1989.