Actor Jerry Adler, famous for portraying the wise consigliere Herman 'Hesh' Rabkin in HBO's critically acclaimed series The Sopranos, has passed away at the age of 96. His family confirmed he "passed peacefully in his sleep" on Saturday, as reported by the Associated Press and Fox News.
Before gracing the television screen, Adler carved out a remarkable career behind the scenes in Broadway theater. Despite starting his on-screen acting journey in his early 60s, he had spent over three decades in the industry, collaborating with notable stars such as Julie Andrews, Angela Lansbury, and Richard Burton. Born in Brooklyn, his early involvement in theater can be traced back to a job offer from his father while attending university.
Adler's theatrical contributions are impressive; he stage-managed the groundbreaking original 1956 production of My Fair Lady with a young Julie Andrews and supervised many other classic productions, including the original run of Annie in 1977 and Camelot starring Richard Burton in 1980.
His transition to television began in the 1980s and early 1990s when he stage-managed several productions, including the Tony Awards. However, it was a phone call from a friend inviting him to audition for the 1992 film The Public Eye that led to his acting debut. He later appeared in movies like Manhattan Murder Mystery and Getting Away with Murder.
Adler's breakout role came with The Sopranos, where he served as an advisor to mob boss Tony Soprano, played by James Gandolfini. Following his immense success in this role, he appeared in CBS's The Good Wife and its spin-off, The Good Fight, as the obnoxious law partner Howard Lyman, and in FX's Rescue Me as fire chief Sidney Feinberg. Other memorable performances included Rabbi Alan Schulman on Northern Exposure and handyman Mr. Wicker on Mad About You, alongside guest roles in hit series like Curb Your Enthusiasm and The West Wing.
Returning to Broadway as an actor marked the full circle of his extensive career, starting with the play Taller than a Dwarf in 2000, followed by Fish in the Dark in 2015. Jerry Adler leaves behind a rich legacy cherished by fans and colleagues alike.
