Jerry Adler, the beloved actor known for his role as consigliere Herman 'Hesh' Rabkin in HBO's iconic series The Sopranos, has passed away at the age of 96. Adler's exceptional journey to fame began later in life, as he embraced acting in his 60s while concluding an impressive behind-the-scenes career in Broadway theatre.
Born in Brooklyn, Adler cultivated his craft over three decades, collaborating with renowned figures such as Julie Andrews, Richard Burton, and Angela Lansbury. Family representatives announced that the actor peacefully died in his sleep on Saturday, as reported by major news outlets including the Associated Press and Fox News.
Adler's theatrical accomplishments included stage managing over 50 Broadway productions, with notable projects like the original 1956 My Fair Lady, featuring a young Julie Andrews, and the classic musical Annie in 1977. His expertise also included directing and supervising a range of Broadway hits, showcasing his significant contributions to the theatre.
Beginning his television career in the 1980s, Adler initially staged managed various production shows, including the Tony Awards. It was not until retirement loomed near that Adler landed his first acting role in the 1992 film The Public Eye, leading to further film appearances like the 1993 Manhattan Murder Mystery.
But it was his portrayal of Hesh Rabkin in The Sopranos that catapulted Adler to fame. He played a trusted advisor to mob boss Tony Soprano, as portrayed by the late James Gandolfini, creating a memorable character in the acclaimed series.
Beyond his Sopranos fame, Adler graced various television series, including CBS's The Good Wife and its spin-off The Good Fight, as the brash lawyer Howard Lyman, and FX's Rescue Me. He also made memorable appearances in shows like Northern Exposure, Mad About You, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Adler returned to his theatrical roots as an actor in productions such as the 2000 play Taller than a Dwarf and 2015's Fish in the Dark, making a full-circle return to the stage that had launched his extraordinary career.
