Deborah Raffin (March 13, 1953 – November 21, 2012) was an American actress, writer and entrepreneur. She worked across film, television and spoken‑word publishing during a multi‑decade career. Raffin is widely remembered for her performance in the 1981 feature Touched by Love, which brought her international attention.
Career and breakthrough
Raffin began acting professionally in the 1970s and took roles in both motion pictures and television series. Her portrayal in Touched by Love was broadly acclaimed and led to a Golden Globe nomination, marking a high point in her acting career. Beyond that breakthrough she continued to appear in a variety of dramatic and genre projects, combining screen work with occasional writing and directing efforts.
Audiobook publishing and business work
In addition to performance, Raffin became active in the spoken‑word and audiobook marketplace. She was a founder and executive in companies that produced and distributed recorded books and other audio programs, helping to expand availability of commercial audiobooks at a time when the format was growing. Her involvement bridged creative and business roles and brought attention to audiobooks as a viable publishing sector.
Legacy and notable facts
Raffin's career is notable for its combination of artistic work and entrepreneurship. She moved between acting, occasional screenwriting or directing, and the development of audio publishing ventures, illustrating a versatile approach to the entertainment industry. She remains best known to many for Touched by Love and for fostering wider access to spoken‑word recordings.
- Best known film: Touched by Love (1981), award‑nominated performance
- Worked in film and television as actor, writer and director
- Co‑founded and led companies producing audiobooks and spoken‑word recordings
- For more information see further resources