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| Jerry Adler. Credit : Bobby Bank/Getty |
Actor Jerry Adler passed away on Saturday, August 23, at the age of 96. The news was announced by his family in an online obituary and later confirmed by friends and colleagues through social media tributes. Adler died in his hometown of New York City, where he was born and spent most of his life. Known for several notable TV roles in recent decades, Adler’s career stood out because he began acting later in life, in his 60s. Fans expressed their condolences and shared memories, praising his inspiring journey of finding success later in life.
“Jerry Adler passed away on August 23, 2025, at the age of 96. Born on February 4, 1929, Jerry was a resident of New York, New York,” reads the brief message from Adler’s family. His friend Frank J. Reilly also shared photos of Adler over the years, writing, “Not bad for a guy who didn’t start acting until he was 65.”
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
Adler is perhaps best known for his role on The Sopranos, where he portrayed Herman “Hesh” Rabkin, a trusted friend and advisor to Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini). Hesh, a loan shark who once worked with Tony’s father, often provided valuable guidance and perspective to Tony when needed. The character was also Jewish, and the series explored the cultural contrasts and intersections between Hesh and Tony throughout the storyline.
Although Adler found fame later in life, he had been connected to the entertainment industry from an early age. His father managed theaters for several acclaimed Broadway productions and touring shows, and Adler followed in his footsteps after graduating college. He eventually moved into directing and later transitioned to television, before making his acting debut in 1991 on the sitcom Brooklyn Bridge.
Adler’s impressive credits include roles such as Saul Horowitz on Broad City, Moshe Pfefferman on Transparent, Sidney Feinberg on Rescue Me, Howard Lyman on both The Good Wife and The Good Fight, and Mr. Wicker on Mad About You — in both the original series and its reboot. He also authored a memoir about his career, published just last year, titled Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies.
Adler’s impact on fans remains evident, with tributes and messages continuing to pour in online. Many are planning to honor his legacy by revisiting their favorite Adler performances this weekend, including The Sopranos on HBO Max.
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