Jerry Adler, the veteran actor best known for his role on The Sopranos, passed away on Saturday at the age of 96, his family announced.
Born in Brooklyn, Adler died in New York City surrounded by his loved ones. In a touching tribute, his family emphasized, “Jerry was a resident of New York, New York” according to the New York Post.
Adler became a familiar face to television audiences through his acclaimed performance as Herman “Hesh” Rabkin, the Jewish consigliere to Tony Soprano. He appeared in 28 episodes over all six seasons of the HBO drama, leaving an indelible mark on one of television’s most celebrated series.
His friend posted a tribute on X. He wrote:
The great actor, my friend Jerry Adler died today at the age of 96. You know him from one of his iconic roles had from many of his guest appearances. Not bad for a guy who didn’t start acting until he was 65. Check out his IMDb page. https://t.co/BeOLeEliOb pic.twitter.com/fnbB8soWy4
— Frank J. Reilly 🌻 (@FrankJReilly1) August 23, 2025
Jerry Adler was a veteran actor and theater director whose career spanned more than six decades in film, television, and stage. Born on February 4, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, Adler grew up in a family with deep roots in the theater world—his uncle was famed Broadway producer and director Jules Adler. This early exposure set him on a lifelong path in the performing arts.
Adler began his career behind the scenes, working as a stage manager and assistant director on Broadway before making his mark as a director. He helped bring to life productions such as My Fair Lady and The Apple Tree. He later transitioned into acting, where he found steady work on stage, film, and television.
While Adler appeared in movies including The Public Eye and Manhattan Murder Mystery, he became most widely recognized for his television work. His most memorable role came as Herman “Hesh” Rabkin, the Jewish consigliere and longtime friend of Tony Soprano, on HBO’s groundbreaking series The Sopranos. He appeared in 28 episodes across all six seasons, earning acclaim for his nuanced portrayal of a character who balanced business acumen with a quiet toughness.
Jerry Adler died yesterday. The intent was only to have him for one episode of THE GOOD WIFE, but he was so funny in a diner scene, yelling “I said ice cream, you stupid bitch” we had him back for six years of Good Wife and three years of Good Fight. One of our favorite… pic.twitter.com/D9rLPdIYA4
— Robert King (@RKing618) August 24, 2025
Adler also had recurring roles on other popular shows such as The Good Wife, Rescue Me, and Transparent, proving his versatility as a character actor well into his later years. His presence brought a mix of warmth, wit, and gravitas to every role he played.
Beyond acting, Adler was respected in the theater community for his directing achievements and storytelling talent. He was known by colleagues as thoughtful, meticulous, and passionate about his work.
