Escoffier, King of Chefs

Owen S Rackleff (July 16, 1934 – October 28, 2009) was a playwright, actor, and an assistant professor of Humanities at New York University. His plays include JAVELIN, which starred William Marshall, FROM THE CLASSIFIEDS, and UNCLE MONEY, which, according to one critic, contained "some of the funniest and most biting moments on any stage in Manhattan." Rackleff also wrote several works of nonfiction, including a Book-of-the-Month Club selection entitled Rembrandt's Life of Christ as well The Secrets of Superstitions, published by Doubleday. His first novel Eric's Image was published in 1982. As an actor, Rackleff appeared Off-Broadway as the Professor in Ionesco's THE LESSON, at the Harold Clurman Theatre; in the Manhattan Theatre Club production of CATSPLAY, in ARMS AND THE MAN at the Playwrights Horizons, and, of course, as Escoffier. In Rochester, at the GeVa Theatre, he was the General in WALTZ OF THE TOREADORS. His film and TV appearances included The Dain Curse, A Question of Honor, The Bloodhound Gang, and All My Children.