Jerry Adler, of Sopranos Fame, Dies at 96

On August 23rd, at the age of 96, Jerry Adler, a renowned actor, passed away in New York City, his birthplace and longtime residence. His family announced this sad news online, which was subsequently verified by friends and peers on social media. Throughout his career, Adler didn’t start acting until he turned 60, but he still achieved significant success on television in later years. Upon hearing the news of his passing, fans expressed their sympathies along with memories and inspiration drawn from his later-life career triumphs.

On August 23, 2025, Jerry Adler, born on February 4, 1929 and a lifelong New Yorker, passed away at the age of 96. Frank J. Reilly, a close friend, shared photos of Adler throughout his years along with the caption ‘Impressive for someone who didn’t start acting until he was 65.’

Legendary actor, my dear friend Jerry Adler, passed away today at the venerable age of 96. You may recognize him from some of his unforgettable roles or from his numerous guest appearances on various shows. It’s amazing to think that he only started his acting career when he was 65 years old! Take a moment to explore his IMDb page to learn more about his impressive career.

— Frank J. Reilly (@FrankJReilly1) August 23, 2025

Adler is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Herman “Hesh” Rabkin, a character he played on The Sopranos. In this series, Hesh served as a friend and counselor to the main character Tony, portrayed by James Gandolfini. As a loan shark, Hesh had worked with Tony’s father previously and often provided valuable insights and advice when asked. Hesh was also Jewish, and the show delved into the ways his cultural background clashed and harmonized with Tony’s.

Although Adler gained recognition later in his life, he had a deep-rooted connection with show business since childhood. His father, being a prominent theater manager for numerous successful Broadway shows and touring productions, sparked this interest within him. After completing college, he chose to tread the same path as his father. Later on, he experimented with direction, then transferred his skills to television, until eventually landing his first acting role in 1991, on the sitcom ‘Brooklyn Bridge’.

Among Adler’s significant roles are portraying Saul Horowitz in Broad City, Moshe Pfefferman in Transparent, Sidney Feinberg in Rescue Me, Howard Lyman on both The Good Wife and The Good Fight, and Mr. Wicker in Mad About You – both the original and the reboot. Recently published is Adler’s memoir about his career, titled “Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies.

It’s evident that Adler made a lasting impact on fans far and wide, with heartfelt tributes pouring in on his obituary and across social media platforms. Many have decided to rewind their favorite Adler performance this weekend, with popular choices being The Sopranos series available on HBO Max.

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2025-08-24 22:30