Stage veteran turned screen actor enjoyed a thriving career spanning decades
Theater Beginnings
Jerry Adler, who passed away peacefully on Saturday at the age of 96, spent the first part of his career behind the scenes. Born into a theatrical family—his father, Philip Adler, was a Broadway general manager, and his cousin Stella Adler was a renowned acting teacher—he started as an assistant stage manager while attending Syracuse University.
Over the years, Adler worked on 53 Broadway productions in roles including stage manager, director, and producer. His career included collaborations with stars such as Julie Andrews, Richard Burton, and Marlene Dietrich, before he left Broadway during its 1980s decline.
A Late Career Shift to Acting
Thinking his career was plateauing, Adler took the suggestion of casting director Donna Isaacson to audition for the 1992 film The Public Eye. Director Howard Franklin was impressed by his performance, marking the beginning of Adler’s long acting career.
He appeared on Northern Exposure and gained fame as Hesh Rabkin on The Sopranos. Initially intended as a small role, Hesh became a recurring character throughout all six seasons. Adler also played Howard Lyman on The Good Wife and appeared in Rescue Me, Transparent, Mad About You, The West Wing, and Broad City. His film credits included Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery.
Later Life and Legacy
Adler returned to Broadway as a performer, appearing in Elaine May’s Taller Than a Dwarf (2000) and Larry David’s Fish in the Dark (2015). “Retirement is a road to nowhere,” he once said, reflecting his love for performing.
In 2023, he published his memoir, Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television, and the Movies. Adler and his wife, Joan Laxman, had recently relocated back to New York after living in Connecticut. He is survived by four daughters.
Looking back on his unconventional path to fame, Adler said, “I thought I was too goofy-looking to act. But now I’m immortal.”
