New York Actor Jerry Adler is "Too Funny For Words," Talks Memoir

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New York Native Jerry Adler is a film/television actor best 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. Jerry Adler resides in New York City with his wife Joan and dog Hesh. His debut memoir "Too Funny for Words" reflects his long and diverse career.

"Too Funny For Words," A Memoir by Jerry Adler

Did you know that Jerry almost turned down his iconic role on The Sopranos because he could not sing? Did Katharine Hepburn really build the Uris building? How did a simple handshake with President Kennedy almost end in disaster? This book promises readers a fascinating and engaging journey through his career as a theater director, producer, and actor that has spanned over 70 years. Adler's unique perspective and witty storytelling style blends wit, warmth, and entertaining storytelling gives readers an insightful peek behind the curtain to some of the most beloved figures in entertainment history.

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Jerry Adler (born February 4, 1929) is an American theatre director, production supervisor and a television and film actor. Adler was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Pauline and Philip Adler, who was a general manager of the Group Theatre. He was raised in a Jewish observant household.

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Adler began his theatre career as a stage manager in 1951, 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.

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As an actor, Adler is perhaps best known for his roles as Herman "Hesh" Rabkin in The Sopranos, Mr. Wicker in Mad About You, and Lt. Al Teischler in Hudson Street. He made three appearances on Northern Exposure as Alan Schulman, Joel Fleischman's old neighborhood rabbi seen in visions. His screen credits include In Her Shoes, Manhattan Murder Mystery, and The Public Eye. In addition, Adler also appeared in an episode of The West Wing as Toby Ziegler's father, Jules Ziegler. The elder Ziegler worked as a member of Murder, Inc. in the 50's. Adler is now appearing as the new chief in the fourth season of FX's fire fighter drama Rescue Me. He guest starred as Eddie's father Al in season 3 and season 4 of 'Til Death Do Us Part.

ENDORSEMENTSI worked with this Adler guy. Friendly, easy-going, totally professional. But if I had known he was a bit of a raconteur, loaded with engaging, funny, unforgettable stories, and that he ran with a crowd of interesting and famous people like the ones in this book, I certainly would’ve been a lot nicer to him. —Larry David

Congrats on finishing the book. Looking forward to reading. ( I can already tell I’m gonna love it.). . .—Paul ReiserToo Funny For Words is the dishy show business book of your dreams. In his long, crazy career, Jerry Adler has worked with everyone from Jack Benny to Meryl Streep. To read about them all—from Jerry’s witty, insightful POV—is a thrill! —Michelle King, writer and producer of The Good Wife, The Good Fight, Evil, and Your HonorJerry Adler has seen it all, done it all, and has known just about everyone along the way. And, in his warm and wonderful book he shares the highlights of a ‘life in our biz’ with humor and joy. It’s a happy journey through decades of show business and a superb recollection of some of its most colorful characters. Great stories from a great storyteller. These are the kind of tales you only get to hear if you are at Sardi’s or Joe Allen’s after the show, sitting with the cast, swapping anecdotes. These are the tales we cherish. Bravo, Jerry for a wonderful chronicle of our crazy business. —Jason AlexanderWhen I worked with Jerry, whenever we had a free moment on set, I’d pester him for stories about his years working in the theater. Well, lucky us: here are all those incredible stories (including many I never knew) gathered up in one fascinating, funny package. Broadway, film, television: Jerry Adler’s had a career like no one else. The man is a treasure —and so is his book. —Peter Tolan, writer and producer of Rescue Me, The Larry Sanders Show, Mad About You, and Analyze ThisA wonderfully engaging collection of personal anecdotes brimming with nostalgia and humor. Too Funny For Words will make you long for times gone by with its fond recollections of the most beloved figures in show business. —Alex Ephraim, PhD Candidate, History of Art & Architecture