Remembering Jerry Adler, the Late-Blooming Actor of 'Sopranos' Fame
Remembering Jerry Adler, the Late-Blooming Actor of 'Sopranos' Fame
It's with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Jerry Adler, the talented actor and director who passed away at the age of 96. His remarkable career spanned over six decades, with his most memorable role being Hesh on the hit TV series "The Sopranos." But what many may not know is that Adler didn't begin acting until later in life, finding success in his 60s and 70s. This goes to show that it's never too late to follow your dreams and passions.
A Life Dedicated to the Arts
Before his breakout role on "The Sopranos," Adler was a well-respected theater director, working with legendary names such as Dustin Hoffman and Woody Allen. He also had a passion for music and played the clarinet in his youth. In fact, his love for music and theater led him to co-found the Off-Broadway theater company, The Chelsea Theater Center. His contributions to the arts will never be forgotten.
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Adler's talent and dedication to his craft will continue to inspire future generations of actors and artists. He showed that age should never limit one's dreams and that it's never too late to pursue a new path in life. He will be
About the Organizations Mentioned
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway refers to a vibrant sector of New York City’s professional theater scene, consisting of theaters with seating capacities between 100 and 499. It emerged in the early 1950s as a **reaction to the commercialism of Broadway**, offering smaller, less expensive venues for productions that emphasized artistic experimentation, innovative storytelling, and often socially provocative themes[1][4][5]. This movement provided a platform for emerging playwrights, actors, and directors to showcase work outside the mainstream, fostering creative freedom over commercial success. Off-Broadway theaters often occupied intimate spaces in neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, using minimal budgets and inventive staging to create a closer connection between performers and audiences. Early pioneers included the Circle in the Square Theatre and the Living Theatre, with influential figures like José Quintero and Joseph Papp championing the movement. Papp notably expanded access by bringing free Shakespeare performances to Central Park and underserved communities[3][4]. Notable achievements of Off-Broadway include launching works that later transferred to Broadway, such as the 1952 production of *Summer and Smoke* by Tennessee Williams and the 1954 revival of *The Threepenny Opera*, which demonstrated financial viability for smaller venues[4]. The movement also played a critical role in diversifying American theater by embracing marginalized voices and avant-garde styles, influencing the broader theatrical landscape. Over time, Off-Broadway has maintained its status as a creative incubator, balancing commercial pressures with artistic integrity. It remains a crucial stepping stone for theater professionals and a vital cultural institution in New York City. The district known as Theatre Row on West 42nd Street hosts a concentration of Off-Broadway venues, reflecting the movement’s sustained presence and evolution[4][5]. While Off-Broadway theaters are distinct from Off-Off-Broadway—which are smaller, more experimental spaces with fewer than 100 seats—the entire ecosystem together represents the dynamic, diverse, and innovative heart of New York theate
The Chelsea Theater Center
The Chelsea Theater Center was a pioneering not-for-profit theater company founded in 1965 by Robert Kalfin, a Yale School of Drama graduate. Initially based in a church parish hall in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, it became the resident company at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) from 1968 to 1978 before returning to Manhattan. The company closed in 1986 due to funding challenges[1][2][3]. Chelsea Theater Center was renowned for producing innovative and daring theatrical works that commercial and other nonprofit theaters often avoided due to cost or audience appeal risks. Under Kalfin's artistic leadership, alongside executive producer Michael David and production manager Burl Hash, Chelsea staged complex, challenging, and rarely seen plays, including the first uncut New York production of Jean Genet's seven-hour *The Screens* and Peter Handke's *Kaspar*. They introduced New York audiences to cutting-edge European playwrights from England's Royal Court Theatre and revived forgotten classics by Kleist, Witkiewitz, John Gay, and Isaac Babel[1][3]. The company was a creative incubator for notable actors such as Glenn Close, Meryl Streep, Frank Langella, and Christopher Lloyd, and attracted acclaimed directors like Harold Prince, Des McAnuff, and Alan Schneider. Chelsea earned critical acclaim, winning 21 OBIE Awards during its 21 years and a Tony Award for the 1973 production of *Candide* directed by Harold Prince[2][3][7]. Chelsea Theater Center was distinguished by its experimental approach, including flexible staging and multimedia integration, which stretched theatrical boundaries and cultivated a dedicated subscriber base eager for its adventurous repertoire. Despite internal tensions and financial difficulties, the center left a lasting legacy in American theater, documented in the book *Chelsea on the Edge* and preserved in archives at the New York Public Library. It exemplified a visionary nonprofit model focused on artistic risk-taking and theatrical innovation[1][3][4][
