Jerry Adler, the actor best known for playing Hesh Rabkin in The Sopranos, has died at the age of 96. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, according to a family announcement confirmed by the Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York. No immediate cause of death was given.
Adler spent decades working behind the scenes on Broadway before turning to acting in his 60s. He was involved in 53 Broadway productions as a stage manager, producer or director, including the original production of My Fair Lady. He worked with stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Julie Andrews and Richard Burton.
His acting career began when he auditioned for a role in the 1992 film The Public Eye at the suggestion of a casting director. This led to roles in television series including Northern Exposure, The Sopranos, The Good Wife, Rescue Me and Transparent. He also appeared in films such as Woody Allen's Manhattan Murder Mystery.
Adler came from a family with deep roots in Jewish and Yiddish theatre. His father, Philip Adler, was a general manager for the Group Theatre, and his cousin Stella Adler was a legendary acting teacher. He published a memoir, Too Funny for Words, last year.
He is survived by his wife Joan Laxman and four daughters.
