It is with heavy hearts that we announce

the passing of one of America’s most

respected and beloved performers, Jerry

Adler, who died peacefully at his home

in New York City on August 23rd, 2025 at

the age of 96. His family confirmed that

the cause of death was natural,

associated with his advanced age. Jerry

Adler’s passing marks the end of a life

story that spanned nearly an entire

century from the Yiddish theater legacy

of his ancestors to the golden age of

Broadway and finally to the small screen

where millions knew him as Herman Hesh

Rabkin in the Sopranos. His journey was

one of resilience, reinvention and

artistic brilliance. And today we look

back at his extraordinary life. Early

life and family background. Jerry Adler

was born in Brooklyn, New York on

February 4th, 1929 into one of America’s

most important theatrical families. His

father, Philip Adler, was a respected

theater manager working with Broadway

productions for decades, while his

mother, Pauline Goldberg, kept a warm

and observant Jewish household. Jerry

grew up surrounded by art, language, and

performance. His great uncle, Jacob

Pavlovich Adler, was a titan of Yiddish

theater, often described as one of the

greatest stage actors of his generation.

His cousins Stella Adler and Luther

Adler carried on the family legacy in

both acting and teaching with Stella

Adler going on to become one of the most

influential acting coaches of the 20th

century. At Samuel J. Tilden High

School, Jerry took his first steps

toward a theatrical life, serving as

president of the dramatic club. It was

there that he learned not only to

perform but also to organize, direct,

and understand the world behind the

curtain skills that would shape his

career. Early career in theater, Jerry

Adler entered the professional world of

theater in the early 1950s.

First as an assistant stage manager for

the Broadway musical gentleman Prefer

Blonde. His sharp eye for detail and

steady leadership soon earned him

recognition, and he went on to manage

productions like Of the I Sing and My

Fair Lady. Behind the scenes, Jerry

became the person everyone could rely

on, whether it was calming nervous

performers or saving a production from

disaster. Once during a live performance

of My Fair Lady, a major technical issue

threatened to halt the show. Jerry’s

quick thinking and calm under pressure

saved the night, cementing his

reputation as a true professional. In

the 1970s,

Jerry transitioned into directing. He

helmed the Sammy Khn Review Words and

Music in 1974

and later directed the revival of My

Fair Lady in 1976,

earning him a prestigious Drama Desk

Award nomination. Though not every

project was successful, such as the ill-

fated Little Prince and the Aviator in

1981, Jerry never stopped creating and

pushing forward. Transition to acting

and breakthrough. After decades of

working behind the curtain, Jerry Adlas

surprised the industry by stepping in

front of the camera. In his 60s, when

most people consider retirement, Jerry

reinvented himself as a television

actor. His breakthrough came with HBO’s

groundbreaking series, The Sopranos,

where he played Herman Hesh Rabkin, a

shrewd advisor and longtime associate of

Tony Soprano. The role captured

audiences worldwide, and Jerry became a

fan favorite for his calm, witty, and

layered portrayal of the Jewish mob

consilier. This late career

transformation proved not only Jerry’s

versatility, but also his relentless

passion for the craft. He went on to

star in Mad About You as the quirky

building maintenance man Mr. Wicker and

later in The Good Wife and the Good

Fight as Howard Lyman, a humorous yet

heartfelt senior lawyer. Notable film

and television work. Jerry Adler’s

acting career expanded far beyond the

single role. In film, he appeared in

Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery

in 1993,

The Public Eye in 1992,

In Her Shoes in 2005 alongside Cameron

Diaz and Tony Klette, and the romantic

comedy Prime in 2005 starring Uma

Thurman and Meil Street. On television,

Jerry made memorable appearances in

Rescue Me as Fire Chief Sydney Fineberg,

Northern Exposure as Joel Flechman’s Old

Neighborhood Rabbi, The West Wing as

Toby Ziegler’s Father, Jules, and

Transparent as Mosha Fefferman. In his

later years, he delighted fans with

performances in Broad City and Netflix’s

Living with Yourself, starring Paul

Rudd. Each role carried Jerry’s unique

presence, wise, witty, and grounded in

decades of experience. He was a

character actor who elevated every scene

he appeared in. Personal life and

family. Jerry Adler’s personal life was

as full as his career. He married three

times. His first marriage was to Dolores

Parker in June of 1950, and together

they had three children before parting

ways. In March of 1978, Jerry married

Kathy Rice, though this relationship

also ended in divorce. Finally, in July

of 1994, he married Joan Laxman, who

remained his devoted partner until his

passing. While Jerry rarely shared

details about his private life, those

close to him described him as a devoted

father and husband, someone who balanced

the demands of Hollywood with a deep

commitment to family, net worth, and

lifestyle. By the time of his death in

2025, Jerry Adler had amassed an

estimated net worth of 8 million US.

This wealth was the result of a steady

decadesl long career in both stage and

screen. Despite his financial success,

Jerry never lived extravagantly.

Colleagues often described him as

grounded, practical, and more interested

in the next creative challenge than in

material luxuries. He supported causes

close to his heart, especially theater

education and Jewish cultural

preservation, ensuring that future

generations would benefit from his

success. Interesting fact and trivia.

Jerry Adler came from a theatrical

dynasty, making him part of one of

America’s most famous stage fans. He did

not become widely known as an actor

until his 60s, proving that reinvention

is always possible. During The Sopranos,

Jerry often mentored younger cast

members, sharing theater stories and

encouraging discipline on set. Jerry

once called his work with Jerry Lewis on

Hell’s AoPin a difficult experience,

famously describing him as an awful,

terrible man. Despite often playing

serious roles, Jerry had a wonderful

sense of humor and enjoyed comedic parts

just as much as dramatic ones. As we bid

farewell to Jerry Adler, we honor not

just an actor, but a lifelong artist

whose story spanned nearly 100 years.

From the Broadway lights of the 1950s to

streaming television in the 21st

century, Jerry Adler never stopped

working, never stopped learning, and

never stopped inspiring. He leaves

behind his wife Joan, his three

children, his extended Adler family, and

countless fans who will forever remember

him. His performances will continue to

live on, reminding us of the power of

storytelling and the magic of

reinvention. Rest in peace, Jerry Adler.

Your light will never fade.