Jerry Adler, renowned actor and stage director, died Saturday at the age of 96.
Adler’s family confirmed the news, but the cause of death was not disclosed. Born on February 4, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York, Adler had a long and illustrious career in theater and television.
Adler’s trip to the entertainment industry began when his father, Philip Adler, offered him a job as deputy director of the musical Carol Channing Gentlemen prefer blondes in 1950.
He then worked as stage director, production director or production supervisor on many emblematic productions, including the original My beautiful lady In 1956, with Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison.
The vast experience of Adler behind the scenes also included work with legendary artists such as Arthur Miller, Marlene Dietrich and Orson Welles.
Despite the start of his acting career in the early 1960s, Adler accumulated 60 televisions and cinema credits in 28 years.
His notable roles include Herman Hesh Rabkin on HBO SopranosHoward Lyman on CBS ‘ The good womanand Sidney Feinberg on FX Save me.
Adler’s expressive face and the unique voice made him a desired character actor, and he worked alongside eminent actors like James Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Some of the notable works of Adler include:
- Sopranos: play Herman “Hesh” Rabkin, Consiglie to the boss of the Mafia of James Gandolfini, Tony
- The good wife: played the partner of the Boois Howard Lyman law
- Save me: taken up as head of the NYFD Sidney Feinberg station
- Mad About You: played his handyman Mr. Wicker
- Transparent: played Moshe and the father of Maura Pfefferman by Jeffrey Tambor
- Broad City: played a survivor of the Holocaust Spry in the last season
The story of Adler is that of perseverance and talent. As he remembers an interview in 2017,
“You spend all your career behind the scenes. No one knows who you are or even know your name … And then you do a television program and suddenly you are a celebrity and everyone knows your face. It’s so weird.”
Adler’s trip from stage director to the actor testifies to his dedication to his job.
