Actor Jerry Adler arrives for the funeral service of James Gandolfini, star of "The Sopranos," in New York's the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, Thursday, June 27, 2013. (AP Photo)
Jerry Adler, the beloved actor of Sopranos and Broadway backstage veteran who found fame later in life, has died at 96. Adler passed away peacefully in his sleep, according to a family announcement confirmed by Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York. No cause of death was disclosed.
Before stepping into the spotlight, Adler spent decades working behind the scenes of Broadway productions. He served as a stage manager, producer, and director in over 50 productions, including the original “My Fair Lady.” His theater career brought him close to legends such as Marlene Dietrich, Julie Andrews, and Richard Burton.
From Backstage to Screen
Adler came from a family deeply rooted in entertainment. His father, Philip Adler, managed the acclaimed Group Theatre and various Broadway shows, while his cousin, Stella Adler, became a legendary acting teacher. Reflecting on his beginnings, Adler once said he owed his start to family connections. “I’m a creature of nepotism,” he admitted.
In the 1980s, Adler left Broadway during a slump and moved to California, taking work on television projects like the soap opera Santa Barbara. At that time, he thought his career might be winding down. But a casting director’s suggestion for a film role reignited his journey. Adler auditioned for The Public Eye, and his performance impressed director Howard Franklin. That marked the beginning of a thriving on-screen career spanning more than 30 years.
Iconic Television Roles
Adler became widely recognized for his role as Hesh Rabkin, Tony Soprano’s trusted adviser on HBO’s The Sopranos. Initially intended as a cameo, the character became a recurring favorite across all six seasons. He also appeared on shows like The Good Wife, Northern Exposure, Rescue Me, Mad About You, Transparent, and guest spots on The West Wing and Broad City.
Film audiences saw Adler in projects such as Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery, but television remained his most prominent stage. He often reflected on the strangeness of being recognized publicly after years behind the scenes. “I’m immortal,” he joked in 1992, appreciating the permanence of film.
A Return to Broadway
Adler never abandoned his theater roots. In 2000, he appeared onstage in Elaine May’s Taller Than a Dwarf, and in 2015, he returned for Larry David’s debut play, Fish in the Dark. Speaking about acting late in life, he said, “I do it because I really enjoy it. Retirement is a road to nowhere.”
He also published a memoir, Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies, chronicling his extraordinary journey from stage manager to screen actor. Adler spent his later years with his wife, Joan Laxman, splitting time between Connecticut and New York. He is survived by four daughters.
Jerry Adler’s life was a testament to the enduring power of passion, curiosity, and the unexpected paths that can lead to fame, even in the twilight of one’s career.
