Jay Adler (August 4, 1896 – September 24, 1978) was an American actor in theater, television, and film.
Early life
Born in New York City, he was the eldest son of actors Jacob and Sara Adler, and the brother of five actor siblings, including stage actor Luther and drama coach Stella. The Adlers were a Jewish-American acting dynasty in New York City’s Yiddish Theater District and they played a significant role in theater from the late 19th century to the 1950s. Stella Adler became the most influential member of their family.
Career
Adler’s Broadway credits included Cafe Crown (1942), Blind Alley (1940), Prelude (1936), Blind Alley (1935), and Man Bites Dog (1933).
In 1934, Adler joined with Harry Thomashefsky and Boris Bernardi to form the Theater Mart Group, “a cooperative group of players and staff connected with the stage”, in New York City. Plans called for production of plays like those done by the city’s Group Theatre.
During a long acting career of minor character roles, Jay Adler appeared in more than 40 films and 37 television series between 1938 and 1976. He appeared in The Big Combo (1955), Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing (1956) and Jerry Lewis’ The Family Jewels (1965).
In 1961, Adler appeared both in the episode “The Lady and the Lawyer” of the television series The Asphalt Jungle and in The Lawbreakers, a theatrical film version of the episode. In 1962, he appeared in the episode “To Climb Steep Hills” of the adventure drama television series Straightaway.
Politics
A lifelong Democrat, he and his siblings, supported Adlai Stevenson during the 1952 presidential election.
Death
Jay Adler died at age 81 in Woodland Hills, California and was buried in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Glendale, Queens, New York City, New York near to his parents.
Partial filmography
No Time to Marry (1938) – Hess
Penrod and His Twin Brother (1938) – Johnson
The Saint in New York (1938) – Eddie, a Hood (uncredited)
Murder in the Night (1939) – Drunk with Two Girls (uncredited)
The Underworld Story (1950) – Munsey’s Assistant (uncredited)
Three Secrets (1950) – City Editor (uncredited)
Cry Danger (1951) – Williams
The Mob (1951) – Russell – Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Scandal Sheet (1952) – Bailey (uncredited)
My Six Convicts (1952) – Steve Kopac
Dreamboat (1952) – Desk Clerk (uncredited)
Assignment – Paris! (1952) – Henry (uncredited)
My Man and I (1952) – Bartender (uncredited)
The Prisoner of Zenda (1952) – Customs Officer (uncredited)
The Turning Point (1952) – Sammy Lester (uncredited)
My Pal Gus (1952) – Van Every (uncredited)
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) – Mr. Z – Party Guest (uncredited)
The Juggler (1953) – Papa Sander – Susy’s Father (uncredited)
Vice Squad (1953) – Frankie Pierce
99 River Street (1953) – Christopher
The Long Wait (1954) – Joe—Bellhop
Down Three Dark Streets (1954) – Uncle Max – aka Charles Martell
The Big Combo (1955) – Detective Sam Hill
Murder Is My Beat (1955) – Bartender Louie
Love Me or Leave Me (1955) – Orry (uncredited)
Illegal (1955) – Joseph Carter
Lucy Gallant (1955) – Sam – Stationmaster (uncredited)
Man with the Gun (1955) – Cal (uncredited)
The Killing (1956) – Leo the Loanshark
The Catered Affair (1956) – Sam Leiter
Lust for Life (1956) – Waiter
Runaway Daughters (1956) – Mr. Rubeck
Crime of Passion (1957) – Nalence
Sweet Smell of Success (1957) – Manny Davis (uncredited)
Hell on Devil’s Island (1957) – Toto
The Brothers Karamazov (1958) – Pawnbroker
Saddle the Wind (1958) – Hank – Saloon Cleanup Man (uncredited)
Seven Guns to Mesa (1958) – Ben Avery
Curse of the Undead (1959) – Bartender – Jake
The Last Angry Man (1959) – Abelman’s Feuding Neighbor (uncredited)
The Story on Page One (1959) – Lauber (uncredited)
All the Fine Young Cannibals (1960) – Sammy Trist (uncredited)
Who’s Got the Action? (1962) – Man in Car Accident (uncredited)
Dime with a Halo (1963) – Mr. Lewis
Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed? (1963) – Patient (uncredited)
Where Love Has Gone (1964) – Bartender (uncredited)
The Family Jewels (1965) – Mr. Lyman, Attorney
The Yin and the Yang of Mr. Go (1970) – Dr. Yul
Brother, Cry for Me (1970)
Grave of the Vampire (1972) – Old Zack
Bummer (1973) – Sid Rosen
Macon County Line (1974) – Impound Yard Man
External Links
Actor Jay Adler – Wikipedia
