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Jerry Adler
Jerry Adler
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Jerry Adler (February 4, 1929 – August 23, 2025) was an American actor, theatrical producer, and director. He was known for his films Manhattan Murder Mystery, The Public Eye, In Her Shoes, and Prime, and for his television work as Herman "Hesh" Rabkin on The Sopranos, Howard Lyman on The Good Wife and The Good Fight, building maintenance man Mr. Wicker on Mad About You, Bob Saget's father Sam Stewart on Raising Dad, Fire Chief Sidney Feinberg on Rescue Me, Moshe Pfefferman on Transparent, Saul Horowitz on Broad City, and Hillston on Living with Yourself with Paul Rudd.

Key Information

Early life

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Adler was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 4, 1929,[1][2][3] to Jewish parents Philip Adler (1905–1990) and Pauline "Polly" Goldberg (1906–2000).[4] His father was a theater manager for dozens of Broadway and touring shows from the 1930s to the 1960s. He was general manager of the Group Theatre collective in New York and managed productions for Herman Levin and Alexander H. Cohen.[5][6] Adler's great-uncle was Yiddish theater actor Jacob Pavlovich Adler, whose children Stella and Luther Adler were his cousins.[7][8] He was raised in a Yiddish-speaking,[8] observant Jewish household.[9] Adler attended Samuel J. Tilden High School where he was president of the Dramatic Club,[10] and Syracuse University.[11]

Career

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Influenced by his family,[12][13][14] Adler began his theatre career as a stage manager in 1950, working on such productions as Of Thee I Sing and My Fair Lady before becoming a production supervisor for The Apple Tree, Black Comedy/White Lies, Dear World, Coco, 6 Rms Riv Vu, Annie, and I Remember Mama, among others. He made his directing debut with the 1974 Sammy Cahn revue Words and Music and also directed the 1976 revival of My Fair Lady, which garnered him a Drama Desk Award nomination, and the ill-fated 1981 musical The Little Prince and the Aviator. He also directed the 1976 play Checking Out. Other credits include Drat! The Cat!; a 1976 revival of Hellzapoppin starring Jerry Lewis; and Richard Rodgers' final musical, I Remember Mama.[15] In addition to theater productions, he also worked on television.[16]

Adler's first acting role was in 1991 in the television series Brooklyn Bridge.[8] The following year, he appeared in the film The Public Eye.[8] He began to receive several acting roles,[8] including a role in the television series Northern Exposure as Alan Schulman, Joel Fleischman's old neighborhood rabbi seen in visions.[14] David Chase, who worked as a screenwriter on the series, later created the drama series The Sopranos, in which he asked Adler to play Herman "Hesh" Rabkin,[17] an associate of the DiMeo crime family.[2] Adler played the role from 1999 to 2007,[18] and is perhaps best known for it.[17] He was also noted for his role as lawyer Howard Lyman on both The Good Wife[2] and its spin-off series The Good Fight.[19]

He also played Mr. Wicker on Mad About You, Bob Saget's character's father Sam Stewart on Raising Dad, and Lt. Al Teischler on Hudson Street.[14] In addition, Adler appeared in an episode of The West Wing as Toby Ziegler's father, Jules Ziegler.[20] Adler also appeared as the new chief Sidney Feinberg in the fourth season of FX's firefighter drama Rescue Me.[14] He guest-starred as Eddie's father Al in season three and season four of 'Til Death. From 2017 to 2019, Adler played Moshe Pfefferman, the father of Jeffrey Tambor's character, on the Amazon series Transparent.[21] In 2019, he portrayed Saul Horowitz on Broad City[22] and Hillston on Living with Yourself with Paul Rudd.[23]

His film screen credits include Manhattan Murder Mystery, In Her Shoes and Prime. In 2014, he starred as Joseph Mendelsohn in A Most Violent Year opposite Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac.[20][24]

He first appeared on stage in 2000.[17] He also acted in Larry David's Broadway play Fish in the Dark.[25]

In 2024, Adler published a memoir titled Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies.[12]

Death

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Adler died at his home in New York City on August 23, 2025, at the age of 96.[2][3][19]

Filmography

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Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1992 The Public Eye Arthur Nabler
1993 Manhattan Murder Mystery Paul House
1995 For Better or Worse Morton Makeshift
1996 Getting Away with Murder Judge
1996 Larger than Life Event Coordinator
1997 Six Ways to Sunday Louis Varga
1999 30 Days Rick Trainer
2005 In Her Shoes Lewis Feldman
2005 Prime Sam
2006 Find Me Guilty Rizzo
2007 The Memory Thief Mr. Zweig
2008 Synecdoche, New York Caden's father
2014 The Angriest Man in Brooklyn Cooper
2014 A Most Violent Year Joseph Mendelsohn
2019 Fair Market Value Victor Rosen
2019 Driveways Rodger

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1991 Brooklyn Bridge Bert Mendel Episode: "Old Fools"
1992 True Colors Mr. Green 2 episodes
1992 Quantum Leap Lenny Greenman Episode: "It's a Wonderful Leap - May 10, 1958"
1993–1999,
2019
Mad About You Sgt. Panino / Mr. Wicker 12 episodes
1993 The Odd Couple Together Again Murray TV movie
1994–1995 Northern Exposure Rabbi Alan Schulman 3 episodes
1995 New York Undercover Mr. Ross Episode: "All in the Family"
1995 One Life to Live Len Hanen 3 episodes
1995–1996 Hudson Street Lt. Al Teischler 22 episodes
1996 Law & Order Judge Nathan Marks Episode: "I.D."
1996 Spin City Police Commissioner Episode: "Dog Day Afternoon"
1997–1998 Alright Already Al Lerner 21 episodes
1999–2007 The Sopranos Herman "Hesh" Rabkin 28 episodes
1999 LateLine Judge Fischbein Episode: "Protecting the Source"
1999 Tracey Takes On... Murray Episode: "Lies"
1999 Aftershock: Earthquake in New York Burt Hornstein 2 episodes
2000 Wonderland Perlman Episode: "Spell Check"
2000 Bull Max Decker 2 episodes
2001–2002 Raising Dad Sam Stewart 22 episodes
2002 The West Wing Jules Ziegler Episode: "Holy Night"
2005 CSI: Miami Cardinal Benedetti Episode: "From the Grave"
2006 The War at Home Jerry Episode: "The West Palm Beach Story"
2007–2011 Rescue Me Sidney Feinberg 34 episodes
2008–2009 'Til Death Al Stark / Eddie's Father 3 episodes
2010 Detroit 1-8-7 Max Elkin Episode: "Déjà Vu/All In"
2011 Curb Your Enthusiasm Minyan Member #1 Episode: "Mister Softee"
2011–2016 The Good Wife Howard Lyman Recurring role; 30 episodes
2013 Remember Sunday Sam TV movie
2014 Mozart in the Jungle Lazlo 2 episodes
2017–2018 The Good Fight Howard Lyman 2 episodes
2017–2019 Transparent Moshe Pfefferman 9 episodes
2019 Broad City Saul Horowitz Episode: "Lost and Found"
2019 Living with Yourself Hillston Episode: "Green Tea"

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jerry Adler (February 4, 1929 – August 23, 2025) was an American actor, director, and theatrical producer best known for his role as the Jewish music manager and mob advisor Herman "Hesh" Rabkin in the crime drama series (1999–2007). Born Jerome Elliott Adler in , New York, to Philip Adler, a theater manager, and Pauline (Polly) Goldberg, from a family involved in the theater tradition, he began his career in the 1950s as a stage manager and director on Broadway, contributing to over 50 productions including the original production of (1956) and the 1980 revival of . Adler worked closely with luminaries such as , , and during this period, often handling backstage logistics for long-running hits. In his early 60s, Adler transitioned to , beginning his acting career with a role in the TV series (1991) and his film debut in The Public Eye (1992), followed by Woody Allen's (1993). His television breakthrough came with , where his initial one-episode guest role as Hesh evolved into a across all six seasons, portraying a shrewd confidant to who often sparred over financial disputes and cultural differences. Adler amassed over 60 screen credits in his later , including notable turns as the rabbi Alan Schulman in (1995), Mr. Wicker in (1990s and 2019 revival), Howard Lyman in (2009–2016) and its spin-off (2017–2022), and appearances in series like Transparent (2017–2019). He was married to Joan Laxman from 1994 until his death and had four daughters from previous marriages; Adler published a , Too Funny for Words, in 2024, reflecting on his multifaceted show business life.

Early life and education

Family background

Jerome Elliott Adler (known professionally as Jerry) was born on February 4, 1929, in , , to Jewish parents Philip Adler, a prominent theater manager, and Pauline "Polly" Goldberg. Philip Adler served as a for the legendary Group Theatre in the 1930s and for numerous Broadway productions, immersing the family in the world of live performance from an early age. The Adler family had deep roots in the Yiddish theater tradition, with Jerry's great-uncle, Jacob Pavlovich Adler, being a renowned and star of the Yiddish stage in Odessa, London, and New York City's Yiddish Theater District during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Jacob Adler's influence extended through the family, as his children included acclaimed acting coach Stella Adler and Luther Adler, both of whom were Jerry's cousins. This theatrical lineage provided a foundational connection to the , shaping the household's cultural environment. Raised in an observant, Yiddish-speaking Jewish household in , Adler experienced early and constant exposure to the through his father's professional activities, including backstage visits to theaters and interactions with actors and producers. This environment fostered an innate familiarity with and performance, distinct from formal training, and contributed to his lifelong affinity for theater.

Education and early influences

Adler attended in , New York, where he served as president of the Dramatic Club, an experience that ignited his passion for theater and stage activities. Following high school graduation, he enrolled at , where he began studying drama and theater-related subjects before leaving in 1950 to pursue professional opportunities in the field. During his youth in a Jewish household in , Adler drew early inspirations from observing Broadway shows, including his first theater experience with the controversial production of Tobacco Road, as well as the vibrant traditions of theater that permeated New York City's cultural scene. These encounters, combined with his high school involvement, directed him toward aspirations in stage work and laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to the .

Theater career

Stage management and production

Jerry Adler entered the theater industry in the early 1950s as a , beginning his career with replacement duties on the long-running musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1949 and quickly advancing to full roles on Broadway productions. Over the course of four decades, he contributed to more than 50 Broadway shows in this capacity, overseeing the intricate daily operations that kept performances running seamlessly amid the demands of live theater. His work exemplified the critical behind-the-scenes role of a , coordinating cues, managing crew schedules, and troubleshooting technical issues to maintain the integrity of each production from opening night through extended runs. Among Adler's notable stage management credits were the 1951 comedy Seventeen, where he handled the fast-paced ensemble dynamics of a youthful cast, and the 1952 revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Of Thee I Sing, ensuring the satirical political humor landed precisely under directors George S. Kaufman and Sam Harris. He later served as stage manager for the 1956 premiere of My Fair Lady, the Lerner and Loewe blockbuster that ran for 2,717 performances, where Adler's logistical oversight was instrumental in sustaining its elaborate sets, costumes, and orchestral elements over six years. These assignments highlighted his ability to adapt to diverse genres, from musical spectacles to gritty dramas, while prioritizing actor safety and audience experience. As his career progressed, Adler expanded into production supervision, taking on responsibilities for budgeting, vendor coordination, and overall show logistics on landmark productions such as (1966), a revue-style musical starring Barbara Harris, and Coco (1969), the Katherine Hepburn-led tribute to , both of which demanded meticulous resource management to support innovative staging and star-driven narratives. He also supervised the 1977 musical Annie, overseeing the high-energy ensemble and touring logistics that contributed to its record-breaking 2,377 Broadway performances and global success. In these roles, Adler's expertise ensured operational efficiency, allowing creative teams to focus on artistic vision while he handled the practical challenges of long-haul Broadway sustainability.

Directing and notable productions

Adler transitioned from to directing in the early 1970s, leveraging his extensive backstage experience to helm several Broadway productions. His Broadway directing debut came in 1972 with Fun City, a comedy written by Les Colodny, , and that opened at the but closed after just one week. One of Adler's early successes as a director was the 1973 Broadway production of Good Evening, a revue featuring and . The show premiered at the Plymouth Theatre (later renamed the Gerald Schoenfeld) on November 14, 1973, and ran for 438 performances, showcasing the duo's satirical humor through musical and comedic sketches. Good Evening earned a in 1974, recognizing the performers' contributions, with Adler's direction praised for its tight pacing and effective integration of film sequences directed by Joe McGrath. In 1976, Adler directed the Broadway revival of My Fair Lady at the St. James Theatre, a fresh take on the Lerner and Loewe classic that starred Ian Richardson as Henry Higgins and Christine Andreas as Eliza Doolittle. The production, which ran for 384 performances, emphasized the musical's witty dialogue and memorable songs while updating the staging for contemporary audiences. For his work, Adler received a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Director of a Musical. Throughout the and , Adler continued directing a variety of Broadway shows, including the Words and Music (1974), featuring ; the short-lived thriller ... (1975); Checking Out (1976); and (1978). His later Broadway efforts included Play Me a Song (1982), a musical that closed after one performance. Adler also contributed to regional theater, directing productions such as Annie at the Westbury Music Fair in 1983.

Acting career

Transition to acting

After decades in theater production and direction, Jerry Adler decided to pursue in his early 60s around 1990, motivated by a desire for new challenges amid what he described as the "twilight of a mediocre career." Having relocated to to stage-manage soap operas and be closer to his children, Adler found himself at a career crossroads, contemplating retirement but open to fresh opportunities in the industry. This pivot marked a significant shift from his extensive behind-the-scenes work on over 50 Broadway productions to stepping into the spotlight as a performer. Adler's entry into acting began serendipitously through a connection with casting director Donna Isaacson, who had worked with him in theater and suggested he audition for a role in the 1992 film The Public Eye after struggling to cast a gruff newspaper columnist. Curious about the audition experience from an actor's perspective—having conducted countless ones himself—Adler agreed and read just three lines, securing the part of Arthur Nabler over 40 established actors despite having no professional experience since college. His screen debut, however, came slightly earlier in 1991 with a guest role on the series Brooklyn Bridge at age 62. This was followed by early television appearances in the early 1990s, including episodes of , which helped build his on-screen presence. The transition presented notable challenges as Adler adjusted from orchestrating productions to embodying characters under scrutiny. Unfamiliar with the competitive audition circuit, he relied initially on personal networks rather than formal training, and the vulnerability of performing—contrasting his accustomed control backstage—required significant adaptation. Following his breakthrough in The Public Eye, Isaacson became his agent at the Paradigm Agency, facilitating further opportunities and smoothing his entry into representation in Hollywood. This support was crucial in navigating the industry's demands during his late-career shift.

Notable roles and contributions

Adler gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Herman "Hesh" Rabkin on the series (1999–2007), where he depicted a shrewd Jewish and serving as an advisor to , drawing on his long-standing ties to the from Tony's father. His performance across 28 episodes highlighted Hesh's blend of cultural insight and moral ambiguity, contributing to the show's exploration of ethnic dynamics within . In the legal drama (2011–2016), Adler played Howard Lyman, a as a bombastic, conservative partner whose outdated views often clashed with the evolving workplace, appearing in 30 episodes across six seasons. This role showcased his ability to infuse humor and authority into ensemble casts, enhancing the series' satirical take on professional politics. Adler also delivered memorable supporting performances in other projects, including the handyman Mr. Wicker on the during the 1990s and its 2019 revival, FDNY Deputy Chief Sidney Feinberg on FX's Rescue Me (2007–2011), Rabbi Alan Schulman on CBS's (1995), and a suspicious neighbor in Woody Allen's 1993 film . These roles often typecast him as wise, authoritative older figures, leveraging his gravelly voice and expressive demeanor to add depth to ensemble narratives. He also recurred as Moshe Pfefferman, the patriarch of the Pfefferman family, in Amazon's Transparent (2017–2019). Throughout his acting career, Adler excelled in character roles that bridged theater and screen, bringing an authentic, lived-in quality derived from decades in Broadway production to his performances, earning praise from peers for his versatility in portraying complex, multifaceted elders. His late-career pivot to acting in his 60s exemplified a distinctive contribution to television and film, where he humanized archetypes with subtle emotional layers, influencing portrayals of aging authority figures in prestige drama.

Filmography

Film

Jerry Adler made his film debut in 1992 and appeared in more than 15 feature films over the next two decades, often in supporting roles as authoritative or eccentric characters. His credits include a mix of independent dramas, comedies, and mainstream productions. The following is a chronological list of his feature film appearances, with character names where applicable.
YearTitleRole
1992The Public EyeArthur Nabler
1993Paul House
1995For Better or WorseMorton Makeshift
1996Getting Away with MurderJudge
1996Larger than LifeGus
1997Harry
1998Abe
1999In DreamsDr. Ben Myers
1999The Out-of-TownersMr. Bueller
1999The Big KahunaPhil Cooper
199930 DaysRick Trainer
2000Morty Fineman
2002Lenny
2002The Red SneakersMr. Green
2005The Longest YardCoach Rex Crandall
2005PrimeSam
2005In Her ShoesLewis Feldman
2007The Memory ThiefMr. Zweig
2007Goodbye BabyPerlman
2008Mr. Pappas
2010Wall Street: Money Never SleepsSean Coffin
2014Joseph Mendelsohn
2019DrivewaysBob

Television

Jerry Adler's television career spanned from the early 1990s to the early 2020s, encompassing over 28 series with a mix of guest appearances, recurring roles, and multi-episode arcs. His credits often featured him in authoritative or paternal figures, drawing on his theater background for nuanced performances. Key television appearances include:
  • Brooklyn Bridge (1991, 1 episode as Uncle Sidney)
  • Quantum Leap (1992, 1 episode as Lenny Greenman)
  • Mad About You (1993–1999, 7 episodes as Mr. Wicker / Sgt. Panino; also 1 episode in 2019)
  • Northern Exposure (1994–1995, 3 episodes as Rabbi Alan Schulman)
  • Hudson Street (1995, 2 episodes as Lt. Al Teischler)
  • Alright Already (1997–1998, 2 episodes as Al Lerner)
  • The Sopranos (1999–2007, 23 episodes as Hesh Rabkin)
  • Law & Order (2000, 1 episode as Judge Myron Okerbee; additional guest spots in the 1990s and 2000s)
  • The West Wing (2002, 1 episode as Rabbi Glassman)
  • NYPD Blue (2004, 1 episode as Saul)
  • The Practice (2003, 1 episode as Judge Robert B. Quinn)
  • Rescue Me (2004–2011, 13 episodes as Sidney Grossman)
  • 30 Rock (2006, 1 episode as Judge)
  • Drive (2007, 1 episode as Frank Turlock)
  • Damages (2009, 1 episode as Holston)
  • The Good Wife (2010–2016, 17 episodes as Howard Lyman)
  • Blue Bloods (2012, 1 episode as Mr. Kaplan)
  • Prime Suspect (2011, 1 episode as Old Man)
  • Unforgettable (2012, 1 episode as Lou)
  • The Good Fight (2017–2021, 3 episodes as Howard Lyman)
Adler also had guest roles in series such as (1994), Tracey Takes On... (1998), (2003), (2004), The Book of Daniel (2006), Canterbury's Law (2008), White Collar (2010), (2012), (2014), Elementary (2014), Gotham (2015), (2016), and Transparent (2015–2016, 2 episodes as Rabbi), among others, totaling more than 28 series across his career.

Personal life and death

Marriages and family

Jerry Adler was married three times. His first marriage was to Dolores Parker in 1950, when he was 21 years old; the union ended in divorce in 1974. From his marriage to Parker, Adler had four daughters: Laura, , Amy, and . One of his daughters, Laura Adler, works as a casting director. Adler married Cathy Rice on March 28, 1978; this second marriage also ended in divorce, with limited public details available about their relationship. His third marriage was to Joan Laxman on July 3, 1994; the couple remained together until Adler's death, residing in Roxbury, , for many years before relocating to . No children are known from Adler's second or third marriages. Adler maintained a private family life, with little public information on post-divorce dynamics or later relationships beyond his marriages. He came from a Jewish family with roots in the New York theater world.

Death and legacy

Jerry Adler died on August 23, 2025, at his home in at the age of 96. He passed peacefully in his sleep from natural causes related to advanced age, as confirmed by his family and representatives. In the year prior to his death, Adler published his debut memoir, Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television, and the Movies, on May 21, 2024. The book offers reflections on his extensive career, spanning theater production and directing to late-in-life acting, including humorous anecdotes from Broadway productions and his role as Hesh Rabkin on . Adler's legacy endures as a multifaceted figure in American theater and television, celebrated for his seamless transition from behind-the-scenes roles to on-screen character work that bridged stage and screen traditions. Despite receiving no major awards beyond a 1976 Drama Desk nomination for directing the revival of , he was widely praised by peers for his remarkable longevity—spanning over seven decades—and his nuanced portrayals of complex supporting characters. Following his death, tributes highlighted his contributions, with noting his accumulation of over 60 film and television credits and the acclaim he garnered in his later years, while emphasized his pivotal role in productions like and . These obituaries underscored his influence as a late-blooming actor who brought authenticity to every endeavor.

References

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