Deborah Raffin

Deborah Raffin’s life unfolded in two distinct acts. The first was as a Hollywood actress, a profession she seemed born into as the daughter of actor Trudy Marshall. Discovered by a modeling agent at 17, she transitioned to film, starring in movies like 'The Dove' and 'Once Is Not Enough,' for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. Her elegant beauty and poised presence made her a familiar face in 1970s cinema and television. Yet, Raffin’s more enduring legacy began almost by chance. In the 1980s, seeking a recorded book for her mother, she was struck by the poor quality of what was available. With her husband, musician Michael Viner, she founded Dove Audio, later renamed Audio Renaissance. Starting from their garage, they built a company that revolutionized the audiobook industry, insisting on high production values and attracting major stars as narrators. She stepped away from acting to run the business, proving herself a savvy and visionary entrepreneur. Raffin successfully bridged the worlds of art and commerce, leaving a lasting imprint on how stories are heard.