Entertainment

'Sopranos' Star Jerry Adler Dies at 96

Published AUG 25 2025

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Above: Jerry Adler attends the "The Good Fight" World Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Feb. 8, 2017 in New York City. Image credit: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

The Facts

Jerry Adler, known for his role in "The Sopranos," passed away on Saturday at age 96. Born in Brooklyn in 1929, he began his career as an assistant stage manager for the 1950 production of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."
Los Angeles Times
FOX News
Adler worked behind the scenes on more than 50 Broadway productions, including serving as stage manager for the original 1956 production of "My Fair Lady" starring Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison, and later directing the 1976 revival of the same show, along with supervising productions like "Annie" in 1977 and "Camelot" in 1980 starring Richard Burton.
BBC News
The Hollywood Reporter
In the 1980s, Adler moved to California and transitioned to television production, working as a stage manager on soap operas such as "Santa Barbara" and several Tony Awards broadcasts, before contemplating retirement.
Guardian
Variety
Adler's acting career started at age 62 with his debut in the 1991 television series "Brooklyn Bridge," followed by his first film role in 1992's "The Public Eye."
USA Today
Rolling Stone
He gained prominence for portraying Herman "Hesh" Rabkin, a loan shark and advisor to Tony Soprano, across all six seasons of HBO's "The Sopranos" starting from the 1999 pilot, a role that was initially intended as a one-shot cameo but expanded due to the character's popularity.
BBC News
Deadline
Adler had recurring roles in other series, including Howard Lyman on CBS's "The Good Wife" from 2011 to 2016 and its spin-off "The Good Fight," as well as Sidney Feinberg on FX's "Rescue Me." He also appeared in films like Woody Allen's "Manhattan Murder Mystery" in 1993 and "A Most Violent Year" in 2014.
Variety
The Hollywood Reporter

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The Spin

Narrative A

Jerry Adler's long journey in Broadway laid a strong groundwork for his success in entertainment. He honed essential skills by successfully managing iconic productions such as "My Fair Lady" and "Annie," building connections with legends like Julie Andrews and Richard Burton, and ensuring that timeless stories continue to resonate beyond their television acclaim.

Los Angeles Times

Guardian

Narrative B

After working on over 50 shows on Broadway, Adler began his acting career later in life, when most people were retiring. His appearances on television series like "The Good Wife" and "Rescue Me" helped him attain celebrity status, and he also starred in films such as "Manhattan Murder Mystery." His iconic role as Hesh in "The Sopranos" further solidified his status as a star.