Remembering Jerry Adler: A Broadway Veteran and Beloved Actor

Broadway Veteran Jerry Adler Passes Away at 96: A Life Behind the Curtain and Beyond

Jerry Adler, the beloved stage manager turned actor, passed away on Saturday in New York City at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy that spans both the stage and screen. Known for his pivotal role as stage manager on the original production of My Fair Lady, Adler’s career blossomed in his later years, showcasing his talent in iconic television series such as The Sopranos, The Good Wife, and Rescue Me.

Born in Brooklyn, Adler was no stranger to the world of theater; he was related to the renowned acting teacher Stella Adler. However, it wasn’t until he reached his early 60s that he stepped into the spotlight as an actor. He gained fame for his portrayal of Herman “Hesh” Rabkin, the consigliere to Tony Soprano, played by James Gandolfini, in HBO’s groundbreaking series The Sopranos.

Adler’s impressive resume includes memorable roles as Howard Lyman, a boorish law partner on CBS’s The Good Wife, and as NYFD station chief Sidney Feinberg on FX’s Rescue Me. He also charmed audiences as Rabbi Alan Schulman on CBS’s Northern Exposure and as Mr. Wicker on NBC’s Mad About You. More recently, he appeared as a spry Holocaust survivor in the final season of Comedy Central’s Broad City.

Adler’s journey in theater began in 1950 while studying at Syracuse University. He was offered a job as an assistant stage manager by his father, Philip, who was then the general manager of the Group Theatre. “I’m a creature of nepotism,” Adler humorously acknowledged in a 2015 interview. His early career saw him working on notable productions, including the original Annie and Hal Holbrook’s Mark Twain Tonight!, alongside legends like Arthur Miller and Marlene Dietrich.

One of Adler’s most cherished stories involves the legendary Katharine Hepburn during her Broadway run in Coco. He recounted how Hepburn, frustrated by construction noise during her performance, took matters into her own hands, arranging for the workers to halt their activities whenever she sang a particular song.

Transitioning from behind the scenes to in front of the camera, Adler made his acting debut in a 1991 episode of Brooklyn Bridge. He later appeared in films such as Manhattan Murder Mystery and In Her Shoes, gaining recognition as a familiar face in Hollywood.

Despite his late start in acting, Adler embraced his newfound fame, reflecting on the oddity of transitioning from a backstage role to a celebrated on-screen presence. “You spend your whole career backstage. Nobody knows who you are… and then you do a television show and suddenly you’re a celebrity,” he remarked in a 2017 interview.

Adler returned to Broadway in 2000, not as a stage manager but as an actor in Elaine May’s comedy Taller Than a Dwarf. His last stage appearance was in Larry David’s Fish in the Dark in 2015. In May 2024, he released a book titled Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales From Broadway, Television, and the Movies, offering fans a glimpse into his extraordinary life.

He is survived by his wife, psychologist Joan Laxman, and his four daughters, Alisa, Amy, Laura, and Emily. Jerry Adler’s remarkable journey from stage manager to celebrated actor serves as an inspiring testament to the power of perseverance and passion in the arts. His contributions to theater and television will be remembered fondly by audiences and colleagues alike.