Alvin Rakoff (born February 18, 1927) is a Canadian director of more than 100 film, television and theatre productions. Now in his 10th decade and still active, He has worked with some of the world’s most prestigious leading actors, including Laurence Olivier, Peter Sellers, Sean Connery, Judi Dench, Rex Harrison, Rod Steiger, Henry Fonda and Ava Gardner. He gave an unknown extra his first leading role: Sean Connery. He gave a young drama student his first job: Alan Rickman. Other young talents he nurtured include Michael Crawford, Judi Dench, Jeremy Irons and Michael Caine.