Early Life
Bruce Adler was born in New York City, the son of Florence Adler (née Waren) and the legendary harmonica virtuoso and actor Larry Adler. Growing up in a theatrical family, he developed an early interest in performance.Career
Adler's career spanned several decades, showcasing his versatility as a performer in various media.Broadway
Adler was a prominent figure on Broadway, recognized for his distinctive voice, comedic timing, and talent for character acting. His notable Broadway credits include:- ''Oklahoma!'' (1979 revival) – Ali Hakim (Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical)
- ''Oh, Brother!'' (1981) – Soldier
- ''Mame'' (1983 revival) – Ensemble
- ''Sunday in the Park with George'' (1984) – Ensemble, understudy for Jules/Boatman
- ''Broadway Bound'' (1986) – Standby
- ''Guys and Dolls'' (1992 revival) – Nathan Detroit (Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical, Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical)
- ''Crazy for You'' (joined cast in September 1992) – Bela Zangler (Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical)
- ''My Favorite Year'' (1992) – Ensemble, understudy for King Kaiser
- ''The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm'' (1999) – Performer
He also performed in Off-Broadway productions, including the acclaimed ''Lansky'' (1999) at the Public Theater.
Voice Acting
Adler was a prolific voice actor, particularly known for his work in animated films and television. His most recognizable voice roles include:- The singing voice for the Sultan in Disney's ''Aladdin'' (1992) for the song "Arabian Nights" and as the Merchant.
- The Merchant in ''Aladdin and the King of Thieves'' (1996).
- Le Plume in ''Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas'' (1997).
- Sebastian in ''The Princess and the Pea'' (2002).
- He also lent his voice to various characters in animated television series such as ''Duckman'', ''The Tick'', ''Hey Arnold!'', ''Family Guy'', and numerous commercials and jingles.