‘The Sopranos’ Star Jerry Adler Dies at 96: A Legacy On and Off the Screen
August 24, 2025
Jerry Adler, the beloved actor best known for his role as Herman “Hesh” Rabkin on HBO’s The Sopranos, passed away on August 23, 2025, at the age of 96 in his New York City home, his family confirmed. Adler, who began his acting career in his 60s after decades as a Broadway stage manager and director, left an indelible mark on television and film with iconic roles in The Sopranos, The Good Wife, and Rescue Me. His death, announced by loved ones and echoed across media outlets like Deadline and People, has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues celebrating his remarkable career and vibrant personality.
A Late-Blooming Star
Born on February 4, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, to Philip Adler, a theater manager, and Pauline Goldberg, Jerry Adler grew up immersed in the world of show business. A cousin of legendary acting teacher Stella Adler, he initially carved out a prolific career behind the scenes, working on over 50 Broadway productions. As a stage manager for the 1956 original production of My Fair Lady starring Julie Andrews, and later as a director for shows like the 1974 Words and Music and a 1976 revival of My Fair Lady, Adler’s theater credentials were formidable. He also served as a production supervisor for hits like Annie (1977) and I Remember Mama (1979), and managed stages for the soap opera Santa Barbara and the 1985 Tony Awards.
Adler’s transition to acting came unexpectedly in his early 60s, sparked by a casting call from Donna Isaacson for the 1992 Joe Pesci-led film The Public Eye. Director Howard Franklin, impressed by Adler’s audition, cast him as a newspaper columnist, launching a 30-year acting career. “I was curious to see how actors felt on the other side of the audition,” Adler told The New York Times in 1992, reflecting on his unlikely pivot. His debut came in 1991 on the CBS sitcom Brooklyn Bridge, followed by a breakout role in Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993).
Iconic Roles and Memorable Performances
Adler’s most celebrated role was as Hesh Rabkin, the savvy Jewish consigliere to Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) on The Sopranos (1999-2007). Appearing in 28 episodes across all six seasons, Adler brought depth to Hesh, a former recording industry executive and loan shark whose wisdom and wit made him a fan favorite. “Hesh brought such a unique element to The Sopranos,” wrote a fan on X (@SopranosFan57), adding that he “gave the show an extra layer of charm.” Adler’s chemistry with Gandolfini, who died in 2013, was a highlight, with scenes showcasing Hesh’s blend of loyalty and pragmatism.
Beyond The Sopranos, Adler shone as Howard Lyman, the crude yet hilarious law partner in The Good Wife (2011-2016) and its spinoff The Good Fight (2017-2018). Originally slated for a single episode, Adler’s memorable diner scene—yelling, “I said ice cream, you stupid b—!”—earned him a recurring role, as noted by series co-creator Robert King on X (@robertking). Adler also played Sidney Feinberg, a New York Fire Department deputy chief, in Rescue Me (2007-2011), and appeared in guest roles on Mad About You (as Mr. Wicker), Northern Exposure, The West Wing, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Transparent (as Moshe Pfefferman), and Broad City. His final credited role was in the 2019 revival of Mad About You.
In film, Adler’s credits include In Her Shoes (2005), Find Me Guilty (2006), A Most Violent Year (2014), and Driveways (2019), the latter alongside Brian Dennehy. His poignant recitation of the poem Thanatopsis in Driveways moved audiences, with a Reddit user (@ScootSchloingo) noting its emotional resonance.
Tributes and Reflections
Adler’s death was confirmed by his family via an online obituary and by friend Frank J. Reilly, who wrote on X (@frankjreilly), “The great actor, my friend Jerry Adler died today at the age of 96. Not bad for a guy who didn’t start acting until he was 65.” Fans and colleagues echoed this sentiment, with @TMZ and @YahooEntsUK highlighting his late-career success. On Reddit’s r/thesopranos, users like @GenButter praised his versatility, noting, “He was hilarious on The Good Wife as a lazy entitled slob, such a twist on his usual pitbull roles.”
Adler’s memoir, Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies (2024), captured his colorful journey. Reflecting on fame in a 2017 Hollywood Reporter interview, he said, “You spend your whole career backstage. Nobody knows who you are. Then you do a television show and suddenly everyone knows your face. It’s so weird.” Despite finding public recognition “odd,” Adler embraced acting, telling CT Insider in 2024, “I’m ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
Personal Life and Legacy
Adler, a lifelong New Yorker, was married three times—to Dolores Parker, Cathy Rice, and psychologist Joan Laxman, whom he wed in 1994 and who survives him. He leaves behind a legacy of resilience, having pivoted careers at an age when most retire, and a reputation for authenticity. “Jerry was a New York legend,” wrote a fan on X (@NYCTheatreFan), reflecting widespread admiration.
His passing follows that of Sopranos co-star Charley Scalies earlier in 2025, prompting renewed discussion about the show’s enduring impact. As fans mourn, Adler’s roles as Hesh, Howard, and others remain etched in television history, a testament to a man who found stardom later in life and made every moment count.
Sources: Deadline, People, ExtraTV, The Independent, TMZ, The Express Tribune, Wikipedia, TV Insider, Us News, posts on X, Reddit