Jerry Adler, renowned for his role as consigliere Herman 'Hesh' Rabkin in HBO's iconic series The Sopranos, has passed away at the age of 96. While he gained prominence on television, Adler's illustrious career began behind the scenes in Broadway theatre, where he worked for over thirty years alongside luminaries such as Julie Andrews and Richard Burton.
Born in Brooklyn, Adler's journey into acting did not commence until he reached his sixties. Initially, he was involved in stage management and direction, contributing to more than 50 Broadway productions. His family influence in the theatre led him to his first job while attending university. Notably, he stage-managed the original 1956 production of My Fair Lady, and in 1977, he took on the production of the beloved musical Annie.
His foray into television began in the 1980s and early '90s when Adler worked behind the scenes at various productions, including the prestigious Tony Awards. It wasn't until a friend encouraged him to audition for a role in the 1992 film The Public Eye that he transitioned into acting. This led to appearances in films such as Manhattan Murder Mystery and Getting Away with Murder, but it was his role on The Sopranos that truly cemented his legacy.
In addition to The Sopranos, Adler appeared in recurring roles on CBS's The Good Wife and its spin-off The Good Fight, as well as in FX's Rescue Me. His versatility made him a familiar face on television, with memorable portrayals as Rabbi Alan Schulman on Northern Exposure and Mr. Wicker in Mad About You.
After a long and successful career, Adler returned to Broadway in 2000 with the play Taller than a Dwarf and later starred in Fish in the Dark in 2015. Jerry Adler passed away peacefully in his sleep, leaving behind a rich legacy in both film and theatre that continues to inspire future generations of performers.
Born in Brooklyn, Adler's journey into acting did not commence until he reached his sixties. Initially, he was involved in stage management and direction, contributing to more than 50 Broadway productions. His family influence in the theatre led him to his first job while attending university. Notably, he stage-managed the original 1956 production of My Fair Lady, and in 1977, he took on the production of the beloved musical Annie.
His foray into television began in the 1980s and early '90s when Adler worked behind the scenes at various productions, including the prestigious Tony Awards. It wasn't until a friend encouraged him to audition for a role in the 1992 film The Public Eye that he transitioned into acting. This led to appearances in films such as Manhattan Murder Mystery and Getting Away with Murder, but it was his role on The Sopranos that truly cemented his legacy.
In addition to The Sopranos, Adler appeared in recurring roles on CBS's The Good Wife and its spin-off The Good Fight, as well as in FX's Rescue Me. His versatility made him a familiar face on television, with memorable portrayals as Rabbi Alan Schulman on Northern Exposure and Mr. Wicker in Mad About You.
After a long and successful career, Adler returned to Broadway in 2000 with the play Taller than a Dwarf and later starred in Fish in the Dark in 2015. Jerry Adler passed away peacefully in his sleep, leaving behind a rich legacy in both film and theatre that continues to inspire future generations of performers.
