With Heavy Hearts, We Share the Passing of an Iconic and Multi-Talented Actor

Jerry Adler, the celebrated actor best known for bringing Hesh Rabkin to life on The Sopranos, has passed away peacefully at the age of 96. His remarkable career, which spanned theater, television, and film, leaves behind a legacy that few in the entertainment world can match.

From Backstage to Spotlight

Born in Brooklyn in 1929, Adler’s path to stardom was anything but direct. Before ever stepping in front of a camera, he spent decades shaping Broadway from behind the curtain. With more than 50 credits as a stage manager, director, and producer, his fingerprints were on some of theater’s most iconic productions, including My Fair Lady. Along the way, he collaborated with legends such as Katharine Hepburn, Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, Orson Welles, and Marlene Dietrich.

Theater ran in his blood. His father managed the Group Theatre, and his cousin was none other than famed acting teacher Stella Adler. Jerry often joked that he was “a creature of nepotism,” crediting his father with helping him land his very first backstage job while still in college.

A Late-Blooming Star

It wasn’t until his 60s that Adler’s second act began. A casting director friend encouraged him to audition for The Public Eye with Joe Pesci, and to his surprise — and the filmmakers’ delight — he was a natural. That audition changed everything, opening the door to television roles that would define the latter part of his life.

After appearing in Northern Exposure, Adler was cast in The Sopranos. What was meant to be a brief cameo became one of the show’s most enduring roles. As Hesh Rabkin, Tony Soprano’s trusted advisor, Adler brought sharp wit and quiet authority, stealing scenes with his presence and dry humor. Fans still recall his unforgettable lines and the depth he added to the series.

Beyond The Sopranos

Adler’s career flourished long after. He delivered a standout performance as Howard Lyman on The Good Wife and appeared in beloved series such as The West Wing, Rescue Me, Transparent, and Broad City. On the big screen, he made his mark in Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery and other films that showcased his versatility.

But Broadway always called him back. He returned to the stage for productions like Taller Than a Dwarf and Larry David’s Fish in the Dark. Retirement never appealed to him. Performing, he said, was the joy that kept him alive. Even in his later years, Adler embraced new challenges — publishing his memoir, Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies, where he shared his remarkable journey with humor and humility.

A Life Well-Lived

Jerry Adler passed peacefully in his sleep on August 23, 2025, at his New York City home. He leaves behind his wife of 31 years, Joan Laxman, and four daughters — Alisa, Amy, Laura, and Emily.

His story is one of perseverance and reinvention, proof that it’s never too late to begin again. From a young man working backstage to a late-blooming actor who became a household name, Adler’s life stands as a testament to passion, resilience, and the enduring magic of storytelling.

Jerry Adler may be gone, but the characters he brought to life and the laughter he inspired will continue to live on for generations.