On August 23, 2025, the entertainment world lost one of its most versatile and enduring talents. Jerry Adler, the veteran actor and stage director best known for his memorable roles in The Sopranos and The Good Wife, passed away at the age of 96.
Adler’s career was anything but conventional. He spent decades working behind the scenes on Broadway before making an unlikely transition to on-screen acting in his 60s—a move that led to some of the most defining roles of his late career. His story is one of perseverance, reinvention, and a quiet brilliance that resonated with audiences across generations.
Early Life in Brooklyn
Jerry Adler was born on February 4, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York. Theater was in his blood. His father, Philip Adler, worked as general manager for the influential Group Theatre, while his extended family included the legendary acting teacher Stella Adler. Growing up, young Jerry absorbed the rhythms and rituals of the stage long before he ever set foot in front of a camera.
He attended Syracuse University but his real education came backstage. Thanks to his father’s connections, he quickly landed work as a stage manager and assistant on Broadway productions. By his early 20s, Adler was already immersed in the demanding world of live theater, learning how to manage complex productions and work with temperamental stars.
A Broadway Man at Heart
Adler became a highly respected production supervisor and director on Broadway, a career that lasted for more than three decades. He was involved in over 50 productions, including major hits like My Fair Lady, The Apple Tree, and The Homecoming.
Working behind the curtain, he collaborated with some of the biggest names in theater and film, including Marlene Dietrich, Julie Andrews, Arthur Miller, and Orson Welles. Though his face was unknown to the general public, Adler was a trusted and indispensable figure in the theater community.
By the late 1970s and early 1980s, however, Broadway began to decline, and Adler—who had dedicated his life to the stage—found himself facing an uncertain future. He left New York for California, working on daytime soap operas and television productions. He often joked that by his 50s, he thought his career might be winding down. Instead, it was just beginning.
An Unexpected Pivot to Acting
Adler’s late-life breakthrough came almost by accident. A casting director friend suggested he audition for a small role in the 1992 film The Public Eye. Despite his lack of screen experience, Adler impressed the filmmakers with his natural delivery. That single audition set him on a completely new trajectory.
He began appearing in television shows throughout the 1990s, landing guest spots on Northern Exposure and other series. While his roles were often small at first, Adler’s wry presence and understated humor made him stand out. Casting directors started to notice.
And then came the role that would change everything.
Hesh Rabkin: The Sopranos Breakthrough
In 1999, David Chase’s The Sopranos debuted on HBO, forever altering the television landscape. Among its sprawling cast of mobsters, family members, and confidants was Herman “Hesh” Rabkin, a former record producer and longtime friend of Tony Soprano.
Originally intended as a minor character, Hesh grew into one of the show’s most quietly compelling figures across six seasons and 28 episodes. Adler infused the role with warmth, humor, and moral complexity. He was Tony’s advisor and occasional conscience, the rare character who could challenge the mob boss without fear of retribution.
Fans remember Hesh for his sharp wit and memorable lines, but also for the subtle humanity Adler brought to him. He wasn’t just a side character—he became an essential part of the Sopranos universe.
Tributes poured in following Adler’s passing. Actor Michael Imperioli, who played Christopher Moltisanti, wrote: “Jerry Adler (1929–2025) was a wonderful actor and the sweetest man. He brought so much humor and fairness to Hesh. A true gentleman.” Steven Van Zandt, who played Silvio Dante, added: “Such a pleasure to work with him. Safe travels, my friend.”
A Second Act: Howard Lyman on The Good Wife
After The Sopranos, Adler found himself in demand once again. In 2009, he joined the cast of CBS’s legal drama The Good Wife as Howard Lyman, a bumbling and often inappropriate lawyer.
What was supposed to be a one-off guest role quickly turned into a recurring character. Adler’s comic timing and ability to turn Lyman’s blunders into something endearing made him a fan favorite. He appeared in six seasons of The Good Wife and later reprised the role in its spin-off, The Good Fight.
For many viewers, Adler’s dual legacy rests on these two unforgettable characters: the wise consigliere of The Sopranos and the hapless lawyer of The Good Wife. Few actors could play such different roles with equal authenticity, but Adler did it with ease.
Beyond His Most Famous Roles
Adler’s career extended far beyond his two best-known shows. He appeared in films such as Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993), In Her Shoes (2005), Synecdoche, New York (2008), and A Most Violent Year (2014). On television, he had roles in Rescue Me, Transparent, Broad City, and Mad About You.
Even after turning 90, Adler continued working. His longevity in the industry was a testament not just to his talent but to his professionalism and adaptability. In an era where many actors struggle to find steady work, Adler reinvented himself multiple times over nearly 70 years in show business.
A Return to Broadway—This Time on Stage
Though his acting career blossomed on screen, Adler never completely abandoned the stage. He returned to Broadway not as a director, but as a performer. He acted in productions like Taller Than a Dwarf (2000) and Larry David’s Fish in the Dark (2015).
It was a poetic full circle: a man who had once managed the biggest productions of Broadway finally stepping into the spotlight himself, earning laughs and applause from the very place where his career began.
A Memoir and Reflections
In 2024, at the age of 95, Adler published his memoir, Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies. The book was filled with anecdotes from his decades in entertainment—stories about working with stars, navigating backstage crises, and his late-life surprise as an actor.
In interviews, Adler reflected on the strangeness of becoming famous in his 60s. He described being recognized on the street after The Sopranos and finding it both surreal and gratifying. “At least I’m immortal,” he joked, noting that his performances would live on long after him.
Personal Life
Jerry Adler lived a long and fulfilling life not only on stage and screen but also at home. He is survived by his wife, Joan Laxman, and their four children. Friends and colleagues often spoke of his warmth, humility, and dry humor—traits that made him as beloved off camera as he was on it.
Legacy
Adler’s legacy is a reminder that it is never too late to reinvent yourself. He spent decades working tirelessly in the shadows of Broadway, only to step into the spotlight and deliver some of television’s most enduring characters.
His portrayal of Hesh Rabkin remains one of the most memorable supporting performances in The Sopranos, a show often hailed as the greatest drama ever made. His comic brilliance as Howard Lyman on The Good Wife showed his remarkable range. And his backstage contributions to Broadway ensured that countless productions ran smoothly, even if his name wasn’t on the marquee.
Jerry Adler’s life was a story of resilience, reinvention, and artistry. He proved that talent has no expiration date, and that sometimes the most rewarding chapters of a career can come long after others would have retired.
Final Curtain
Jerry Adler passed away peacefully in his sleep in New York on August 23, 2025. He was 96 years old. For the entertainment industry, his death marks the loss of a true character actor, a stage craftsman, and a man whose career embodied the very spirit of show business.
From the quiet backstage corridors of Broadway to the unforgettable glare of HBO and CBS, Adler left his mark on American culture. As fans revisit his work, one thing becomes clear: Jerry Adler may have taken his final bow, but his performances will keep playing, reminding us of the enduring power of storytelling.
