AMERICAN
 |GENERAL
 |FINANCIAL GROUP
2929 ALLEN PARKWAY (A40-04), HOUSTON, TEXAS 77019
                                                      PAULETTA P. COHN
                                                      DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL
                                                      Direct Line (713) 831-1230
                                                      FAX (713) 620-3878
                                                      E-mail: pcohn@aglife.com

                              October 26, 2000


American General Life Insurance Company
2727-A Allen Parkway
Houston, TX  77019

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

     As Deputy General Counsel of American General Life Companies, I have acted
as counsel to American General Life Insurance Company (the "Company") in
connection with the filing of Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-6, File Nos. 333-43264 and 811-08561 ("Registration
Statement") for Separate Account VL-R ("Separate Account VL-R") of the Company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Registration Statement relates
to the proposed issuance of Platinum Investor III (policy form No. 00600)
flexible premium variable life insurance policies by the Company ("Policies").
Net premiums received under the Policies are allocated by the Company to
Separate Account VL-R to the extent directed by owners of the Policies. Net
premiums under other policies that may be issued by the Company may also be
allocated to Separate Account VL-R. The Policies are designed to provide
retirement protection and are to be offered in the manner described in the
prospectus and the prospectus supplements included in the Registration
Statement. The Policies will be sold only in jurisdictions authorizing such
sales.

In connection with rendering this opinion, I have examined and am familiar with
originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of
the corporate records of the Company and all such other documents as I have
deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion expressed herein and
have assumed that prior to the issuance or sale of any Policies, the
Registration Statement, as finally amended, will be effective.



                        AMERICAN GENERAL LIFE COMPANIES
                     2929 Allen Parkway . Houston, TX 77019


American General Life Insurance Company
October 26, 2000
Page 2


Based on and subject to the foregoing and the limitations, qualifications,
exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, I am of the opinion that:

1.   The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the
     laws of the State of Texas.

2.   Separate Account VL-R was duly established and is maintained by the Company
     pursuant to the laws of the State of Texas, under which income, gains and
     losses, whether or not realized, from assets allocated to Separate Account
     VL-R, are, in accordance with the Policies, credited to or charged against
     Separate Account VL-R without regard to other income, gains or losses of
     the Company.

3.   Assets allocated to Separate Account  VL-R will be owned by the Company.
     The Company is not a trustee with respect thereto.  The Policies provide
     that the portion of the assets of Separate Account VL-R equal to the
     reserves and other Policy liabilities with respect to Separate Account VL-R
     will not be chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business
     the Company may conduct. The Company reserves the right to transfer assets
     of Separate Account VL-R in excess of such reserves and other Policy
     liabilities to the general account of the Company.

4.   When issued and sold as described above, the Policies (including any units
     of Separate Account VL-R duly credited thereunder) will be duly authorized
     and will constitute validly issued and binding obligations of the Company
     in accordance with their terms.

I am admitted to the bar in the State of Texas, and I do not express any opinion
as to the laws of any other jurisprudence.

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item
601(b)(5), Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933 and I hereby consent to
the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

                                     Sincerely,


                                     /s/   PAULETTA P. COHN
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