‘The Sopranos’ Icon Landed His Role Against Doctor’s Orders

The below is an excerpt from ‘Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television, and the Movies’ by Jerry Adler, which is available from May 21.

I was stricken with terrible stomach pains and went to my doctor in New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital. I wound up with gastric problems and required an operation. The recuperation was pleasant, Joan flew back, and I lay there, bandaged heavily, just as David Chase called. Alisa had given David my number but didn’t tell him where I was. He was quite friendly, we chatted about our days on Northern Exposure. Frankly I had no memory of seeing David Chase there, though I knew he had written some of the episodes I had filmed.

Finally, he got around to why he was calling. He was doing a pilot named The Sopranos, and there was a cameo he wanted me to do. I assumed it was a rabbi or a Jewish character because that kind of character was the basis of our relationship. I had no desire to do another Jewish person for fear of being typecast, but at my age that’s ridiculous. His insistence was very effective, and it was an offer. I agreed. David said he would call the office and make a deal.

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