When The Good Wife team first cast Jerry Adler as Howard Lyman, it was meant to be a one‑and‑done appearance. Instead, showrunner Robert King recalls Adler’s unforgettable diner scene—loudly exclaiming “I said ice cream, you stupid b***!”*—and the rest is television history. So captivating was the moment that Adler became a recurring cast member for six seasons, continuing into The Good Fight for another three years. King remembered Adler fondly as “one of our favorite collaborators.”
Adler’s path into acting began in his 60s, after generations of working backstage. He portrayed a memorable array of characters—from Rabbi Schulman on Northern Exposure to Sidney Feinberg in Rescue Me and the father figure on Transparent. Despite his late start, Adler seamlessly commanded the screen, layering humor and gravitas into every part he played.
