‘Sopranos’ Star Jerry Adler D**s at 96
Jerry Adler, the beloved actor who brought Hesh Rabkin to life on HBO’s The Sopranos, has passed away at 96. His career spanned theater, television, and film, leaving a lasting mark on audiences worldwide.
Broadway Roots and Legendary Collaborations
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1929, Adler grew up in an entertainment family deeply rooted in Jewish and Yiddish theater. “I’m a creature of nepotism,” he once admitted, recalling how his father, the general manager of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, helped him land his first stage job while he was at Syracuse University.
Before TV audiences knew him as Tony Soprano’s adviser, Adler built an impressive Broadway career. He earned 53 credits as a stage manager, producer, or director, working on iconic productions like My Fair Lady and collaborating with legends such as Katharine Hepburn, Orson Welles, Marlene Dietrich, Julie Andrews, and Richard Burton.
A Late Start on Screen
After Broadway’s slump in the 1980s, Adler moved to California. He worked on TV shows like Santa Barbara, admitting he was “getting into the twilight of a mediocre career.”
Fate intervened when casting director Donna Isaacson encouraged him to try acting. Adler had never acted before, but his audition for the Joe Pesci film The Public Eye impressed director Howard Franklin, launching a screen career that lasted more than 30 years.
Defining Role on The Sopranos
Adler’s early TV work on Northern Exposure led to his iconic role on The Sopranos. Initially cast for a cameo, Hesh Rabkin became a recurring character when the show’s creators loved his performance.
Fans remember Adler’s comedic timing, such as the unforgettable synagogue funeral scene where a lone voice quipped: “His brother was worse.” Beyond Hesh, Adler appeared on The Good Wife, Rescue Me, Transparent, The West Wing, and Broad City, and in films including Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery.
A Lifelong Passion for Theater
Even after decades of success, Adler never abandoned the stage. He returned to Broadway in Elaine May’s Taller Than a Dwarf (2000) and starred in Larry David’s Fish in the Dark (2015). “I do it because I really enjoy it. Retirement is a road to nowhere,” he said.
In 2024, he published his memoir, Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies, sharing stories from his storied career.
A Life Well Lived
Adler passed away peacefully in his New York City home on August 23, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Joan Laxman, and four daughters: Alisa, Amy, Laura, and Emily.
Adler didn’t land his first on-screen role until his 60s—a reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. He leaves behind a legacy of talent, inspiration, and a career that spanned nearly a century. Rest in peace, Jerry Adler.
