For more than five decades, the name Jerry Adler was synonymous with Broadway, though his face was a stranger to the marquees. He was a backstage titan, a seasoned stage manager and director who helped bring some of the most iconic productions in theatrical history to life. Yet, as he entered what he believed to be the twilight of a long and respectable career, a twist of fate led him to the other side of the camera. In his 60s, a surprising foray into acting launched a second, equally remarkable career that would make him a familiar face to millions as a beloved character actor on television. His journey is a testament to the idea that passion knows no age limit and that some of life’s greatest roles are those we never expected to play.
A Life Lived in the Wings: The Broadway Years
Jerry Adler’s connection to the world of entertainment was forged long before he ever set foot on a stage. He hailed from an entertainment family with deep roots in Jewish and Yiddish theater, a legacy that paved his way into the industry. His father, Philip Adler, served as the general manager for the legendary Group Theatre and numerous Broadway productions, while his cousin, Stella Adler, was one of the most revered acting teachers of the 20th century. Acknowledging his family’s influence, Adler himself once quipped, “I’m a creature of nepotism.” His first job, which he secured while still a student at Syracuse University, was an assistant stage manager position on the hit show Gentlemen Prefer Blondes—a call he got from his father.
This early start was the beginning of a prolific backstage career that would span 53 Broadway productions. Adler worked with some of the most luminous names in showbiz, serving as a stage manager for the original production of My Fair Lady and collaborating with legends like Marlene Dietrich and Julie Andrews. He was an integral part of the machinery that made Broadway magic, a quiet force behind the grand theatrical illusion. Yet, as the industry entered a slump in the 1980s, Adler began to feel the toll of his demanding career and decided to move to California, contemplating a quiet retirement after a life spent in the wings.
The Unlikely Audition: Finding His Calling at 60
By the late 1980s, Jerry Adler was in the “twilight of a mediocre career,” as he candidly told The New York Times. The man who had been a key figure in the golden age of Broadway was now working on television productions like the soap opera Santa Barbara. But fate, as it often does, had other plans. A long-time friend of one of his daughters, who was a casting director for the film The Public Eye, had an unusual idea. She had a difficult-to-fill role for a newspaper columnist and, on a hunch, asked Adler to audition.
Curious to see what life was like for the actors he had spent his life directing, Adler agreed to try out. Director Howard Franklin, who had seen dozens of actors for the part, was so struck by Adler’s reading that he got “chills.” It was the beginning of a third act that no one could have predicted. Adler’s natural talent, honed by decades of watching actors from the director’s chair, was immediately apparent. His transition from backstage veteran to front-and-center performer was a powerful story of serendipity and a late-in-life discovery of a new passion.
The Sopranos Star: A Newfound Fame
The role that cemented Jerry Adler’s newfound fame was as Hesh Rabkin on the HBO crime drama The Sopranos. His acting career, which had been steadily growing since his breakout role, was taken to a new level by his connection to writer and producer David Chase. Adler had previously worked on Chase’s show Northern Exposure, and when Chase was casting the pilot for The Sopranos, he called Adler to do a small cameo. The character, a long-time advisor and confidant to Tony Soprano, was only intended to be a “one-shot” appearance. However, the chemistry between Adler and the rest of the cast was undeniable, and the character of Hesh was brought back for all six seasons.
As Hesh, Adler provided a grounding presence, a wise and weary advisor in a world of violence and chaos. The character became a beloved figure, and Adler’s performance was a masterclass in understated acting. The unexpected fame that came with the role was strange for a man who had spent his life in the shadows. He once expressed how odd it was to be recognized by the public, but he embraced his new reality. His work on The Sopranos opened the door for a steady stream of roles, including a recurring part as law partner Howard Lyman on The Good Wife, and guest spots on everything from The West Wing to Broad City.
A Legacy of Resilience and Joy
Even after achieving a level of fame that had eluded him for most of his life, Jerry Adler never lost his passion for the work. He once said, “I do it because I really enjoy it. I think retirement is a road to nowhere.” This philosophy guided him for more than three decades as he worked consistently in front of the camera. He even returned to Broadway, this time as an actor, in productions like Elaine May’s Taller Than a Dwarf and Larry David’s Fish in the Dark. His memoir, Too Funny for Words, published last year, offered a final glimpse into his incredible journey, chronicling his life from the wings of Broadway to the spotlight of Hollywood.
Jerry Adler’s life and career serve as a powerful and inspiring example of resilience and joy. He was a man who embraced a new challenge in a profession he once thought was not for him, and in doing so, he found a second calling that brought him and audiences so much joy. He was a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself and that a true love for your craft can sustain you through a lifetime of acts, both on and off the stage.
