Laura Adler, an Emmy-nominated casting director and former Casting Society administrator, died on Thursday in Los Angeles after a brief illness. She was 65. Adler was set to receive a humanitarian award for her contributions to the casting community.
Laura Adler, born on July 1, 1960, in New York City, built a distinguished career in entertainment spanning over four decades. The daughter of veteran actor Jerry Adler, who passed away in August 2025 at age 96, she began her journey in the industry in 1980 as a production assistant on the 1981 ABC telefilm A Long Way Home, starring Timothy Hutton, Brenda Vaccaro, and Rosanna Arquette. In the early 1980s, she worked as a technician on The Pee-wee Herman Show, a West Hollywood stage production featuring Paul Reubens' iconic character.
By 1989, Adler transitioned into casting, starting as an associate to acclaimed directors including Barbara Claman, Mark Saks, and Ted Hann. Her early credits included the films Defending Your Life (1991) and Prelude to a Kiss (1992), as well as the HBO comedy Dream On (1990s) and TBS sitcom My Boys (late 2000s). She served as casting director for series such as Better Off Ted, The Goode Family, and notably American Dreams, earning a 2003 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Casting in a Drama Series.
Adler's advocacy extended beyond casting. In 2005, she joined the steering committee that successfully secured pension and health benefits for casting professionals, reshaping industry standards. From 2014 to 2024, she served as administrator for the Casting Society, supporting the global community with dedication until her retirement.
In recognition of her humanitarian efforts, the Casting Society planned to honor her with the Rosalie Joseph Humanitarian Award at the 41st Annual Artios Awards on February 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. She is survived by sisters Alisa Adler, a talent agent at Paradigm; Emily Adler, a writer; Amy Adler; and nephew Joe Adler. A memorial service will be announced later.
