The Milky Way restaurant on Pico Boulevard has lost a shining star — but Steven Spielberg as well.
Hollywood and West Los Angeles are mourning the death Tuesday of Leah Adler, the mother of the famed filmmaker.
She was 97.
The Hollywood Reporter said Adler, a former concert pianist and painter died at her home in Los Angeles surrounded by her family. She most recently owned a kosher restaurant on Pico Boulevard in West L.A. called the Milky Way.
“Leah and Arnold Spielberg divorced in 1965 and two years later she married Bernard Adler [who turned 100 recently],” said JTA. “In the late 1970s, the couple opened The Milky Way restaurant, with the husband handling the business end and his wife as hostess, greeter and reigning presence. She was also in charge of the hallway art gallery, featuring posters of each of her son’s movies.”
The Hollywood Reporter added: “Born in Cincinnati and raised during the Roaring Twenties and the Depression with her older brother Bernard, Leah Frances Posner developed a love of music when she learned piano at age 5,” “She studied at the Music Conservatory in town and graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in home economics.”
“I told Steve, if I’d known how famous he was going to be, I’d have had my uterus bronzed,” she told the Los Angeles Times in 1994.
A statement from Amblin Partners, Spielberg’s production company, said that “while known for her red lipstick and Peter Pan collars, for her love of daisies, for her blue jeans and sparkly bling, for her dancing from table to table around the Milky Way, and for her love of camping, fishing and crossword puzzles, Leah is best remembered for her deep, limitless love for the people around her.”
Her fans remembers here on social media.
Ah, I’m deeply sorry to hear that Steven Spielberg’s Mother, Leah, has passed away at 97. A good long life, indeed. #Farewell #TCM
— Mike Thompson (@mikethompson78) February 22, 2017
My deepest condolences to the Spielberg family for the loss of Leah Adler. ז.צ.לhttps://t.co/TT8910sxEf
— Eitan Weiss (@EitanWeiss) February 22, 2017
Sad news:Death of Leah Adler 97yr old mom of Steven Spielberg.She owned Milky Way, #kosher restaurant. https://t.co/ZXVuW0fDjd Lovely lady! pic.twitter.com/SRkcEmudGp
— KosherEye (@koshereye) February 22, 2017
RIP Leah Adler
Inspiring Woman
Our Condolences to you #Stevenspielberg pic.twitter.com/aiOW51WOw2— JetsettersFlyin™ ✈️ (@JetSettersFlyIn) February 22, 2017
A long life full of joy and love has ended: RIP Leah Adler, Steven Spielberg’s mother and “lucky charm” https://t.co/nznMt3mNqz
— Spielberg Chronicles (@SpielbergChron) February 22, 2017
Sad to hear about the death of Spielberg’s mother Leah Adler, who was a very talented painter, pianist and restaurateur in her own right. pic.twitter.com/PsfEzoqRMe
— Paul Bullock (@apaulbullock) February 22, 2017
Very sad news about passing of #LeahAdler #StevenSpielberg‘s mother. We’ll miss her at #MilkyWay restaurant. Such a positive friendly woman.
— Rabbi Pini Dunner (@pinidunner) February 22, 2017
We send our condolences to #LeahAdler‘s family & generations of diners at the beloved Milky Way. https://t.co/tnD0rNgvnj @JewishJournal
— LA City Attorney (@CityAttorneyLA) February 22, 2017
Leah Adler owned, operated and made welcome generations of diners at her Milky Way kosher restaurant on Pico Blvd. https://t.co/IW5eytiOQI
— Jewish Journal (@JewishJournal) February 22, 2017
She was so lovely when I met her with my mom at her restaurant. Condolences to Steven on the passing of your mother, Leah Adler. @AmblinEnt pic.twitter.com/sl2KcO1vOD
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) February 22, 2017
I was truly fortunate to be able to meet Steven Spielberg’s mom, Leah Adler. May she rest in peace 🙁 pic.twitter.com/RWyDCYGaVU
— DonnySpielberg (@DonaldGarner5) February 22, 2017
#RIP
Sending my condolences to the whole family. Rest in peace Leah Adler. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/nUcbmSMJNW— JCapedia (@JCapedia) February 22, 2017