Stella Adler was born on February 10, 1901, in New York City, the youngest daughter of Jacob P. Adler and Sarah Adler, both renowned Yiddish theater actors. She was the youngest of seven children, all of whom would become actors. Her family was part of the Adler family dynasty in the Yiddish theater.
Stella made her stage debut at the age of four in her family's theater in the play "Broken Hearts." She continued to perform in various productions throughout her childhood and teenage years. At the age of 18, she made her London debut as "Naomi" in "Elisa Ben Avia," a role she played for a year before returning to New York.
Stella then spent the next 10 years performing in vaudeville and Yiddish language theaters throughout North and South America and Europe. During this time, she appeared in over 100 plays.
In the 1920s, Stella joined the American Laboratory Theatre, where she met her future husband, Harold Clurman, and other influential figures in the theater world, including Lee Strasberg and Cheryl Crawford. They co-founded the Group Theatre, which became a hub for the development of Stanislavski's System in the United States.
Stella's career spanned over 80 years, during which she acted in numerous productions on Broadway and in Hollywood. She was known for her intense dedication to her craft and her ability to bring depth and nuance to her performances.
In addition to her acting career, Stella was a highly respected teacher and mentor. She taught at the New School for Social Research and established her own acting studio, the Stella Adler Theatre Studio. Her students included many notable actors, including Marlon Brando, Warren Beatty, Robert De Niro, and Harvey Keitel.
Stella Adler died on December 21, 1992, at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential actresses and acting teachers of the 20th century.
