Adler was born in California and he has one brother. He struggled with alcohol and drug addiction as a teenager, and got sober at 17. [4] He studied acting at the Lee Strasberg institute. [5]
Adler was married to actress Ria Pavia from 1993 to 1995. He is currently married to actress Laura San Giacomo and is a close friend and former housemate of actor George Clooney.