Jerry Adler, Beloved Broadway Figure and Veteran Actor, Passes Away at 96
NEW YORK, USA (AP) — Jerry Adler, a stalwart of Broadway who transitioned to acting in his later years, has died at the age of 96. His family shared the news in a brief announcement confirmed by the Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York on Saturday.
Adler’s extensive career began behind the scenes, contributing to 53 Broadway productions as a stage manager, director, or producer before stepping into the spotlight. He is perhaps best known for his memorable roles on television, including as Hesh Rabkin, Tony Soprano’s adviser in “The Sopranos,” and Howard Lyman in “The Good Wife.”
Born into a prominent entertainment lineage with deep connections to Jewish and Yiddish theater, Adler often cited his family’s influence on his career. His father, Philip Adler, was a general manager for the renowned Group Theatre, and his cousin, Stella Adler, gained fame as an influential acting teacher.
“I’ve benefited from nepotism,” Adler remarked in a 2015 interview, recalling how he landed his first job through family connections while attending Syracuse University.
With a career that included iconic productions like “My Fair Lady” and collaborations with legends such as Marlene Dietrich and Richard Burton, Adler temporarily departed Broadway during the economic downturn of the 1980s. He shifted to California, where he contributed to television productions, including the soap opera “Santa Barbara.” Reflecting on his earlier years, he described his career as entering “the twilight of a mediocre career” in a 1992 interview with The New York Times.
However, a chance casting opportunity reignited his passion for acting when Donna Isaacson, a friend of his family, suggested he audition for “The Public Eye.” Adler’s impressive reading impressed director Howard Franklin, leading to an unexpected turn in his career.
After that pivotal moment, Adler found consistent work in television for over three decades, first gaining recognition in the David Chase series “Northern Exposure,” which later led him to “The Sopranos.”
“In the beginning, Hesh was only meant to be a cameo,” Adler shared with Forward in 2015. “But the character resonated with audiences, and I became a recurring presence.”
His film credits include appearances in Woody Allen’s “Manhattan Murder Mystery,” but his television roles define his legacy, showcasing his talent in shows like “Rescue Me,” “Mad About You,” “Transparent,” and guest roles on series like “The West Wing.”
Adler saw a return to Broadway when he took the stage in Elaine May’s “Taller Than a Dwarf” in 2000, and appeared in Larry David’s “Fish in the Dark” in 2015. “I love what I do. Retirement seems pointless,” Adler remarked, emphasizing the joy he found in performance.
Last year, he published a memoir titled “Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies.” When asked if he was still interested in acting roles, he responded enthusiastically: “I’m ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
In recent years, Adler and his wife, Joan Laxman, moved back to New York from Connecticut. He often reflected on his transition from behind the scenes to being in front of the camera, acknowledging the surreal experience of being recognized after so many years: “I’m immortal,” he noted with characteristic humor in a past interview.
Adler leaves behind a rich legacy in the world of theater and television, remembered not just for his roles, but also for his cherished contributions to the arts.