From decades behind the scenes to a celebrated television career
Early Career in Theater
Jerry Adler, who passed away peacefully on Saturday at 96, spent much of his early professional life working backstage. Born into a family deeply connected to theater—his father, Philip Adler, managed Broadway productions, and his cousin Stella Adler was a legendary acting teacher—he began his career as an assistant stage manager while at Syracuse University.
Throughout his career, Adler contributed to 53 Broadway shows as a stage manager, producer, and director. His work included collaborations with stars like Julie Andrews, Richard Burton, and Marlene Dietrich, before stepping away from Broadway during the industry’s slump in the 1980s.
Transition to Acting
Believing his career was stagnating, Adler agreed to audition for the 1992 film The Public Eye at the suggestion of casting director Donna Isaacson. Director Howard Franklin was impressed by his performance, which launched Adler into acting.
He went on to appear on Northern Exposure and gained widespread recognition as Hesh Rabkin in The Sopranos, a role initially intended as a cameo that became recurring throughout all six seasons. He also portrayed Howard Lyman on The Good Wife and appeared in series including Rescue Me, Transparent, Mad About You, The West Wing, and Broad City. His film credits included Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery.
Legacy and Later Years
Even after achieving television fame, Adler returned to Broadway as a performer in Elaine May’s Taller Than a Dwarf (2000) and Larry David’s Fish in the Dark (2015). “I think retirement is a road to nowhere,” he once said, reflecting his dedication to performing.
In 2023, Adler released his memoir, Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television, and the Movies. He and his wife, Joan Laxman, had recently moved back to New York from Connecticut. He is survived by four daughters.
Reflecting on his unconventional path to acting, Adler once remarked, “I thought I was too goofy-looking to act. But now I’m immortal.”
