Hollywood legend Jerry Adler has passed away at the age of 96. The veteran actor, who appeared in The Sopranos and The Good Wife, did not start acting until he was in his 60s, but starred in several popular roles.
His death was announced today (August 24) by his loved ones and confirmed by his friend Frank J. Reilly. Frank J. Reilly, wrote on X: “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.” Adler, who was from Brooklyn, New York, played Herman “Hesh” Rabkin, advisor to James Gandolfini‘s mob boss Tony, on popular HBO hit The Sopranos.
(Image: CBS via Getty Images)
But before his debut in the industry, the star was already in the showbiz world. Adler was the cousin of famed acting teacher Stella Adler and began his career on stage in the legendary Broadway.
He was the stage manager on the original production of the play My Fair Lady. He made the move onto the gold and silver screens years later.
Adding to his other film roles, he also starred in Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery and Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche, New York.
Adler leaves behind his wife, the psychologist Joan Laxman. They have been married since 1994.
Fans on X have shared touching tributes for the star. One wrote: “RIP to a New York legend, the Sopranos won’t be the same”. Another added: “Hesh brought such a unique element to The Sopranos. A character that truly gave the show an extra layer of charm. RIP Jerry Adler”.
(Image: WireImage)
Film producer Robert King shared a fond memory he had with Adler. Sharing a photo of the late actor, he wrote: “Jerry Adler died yesterday.
“The intent was only to have him for one episode of THE GOOD WIFE, but he was so funny in a diner scene, yelling ‘I said ice cream, you stupid b****’ we had him back for six years of Good Wife and three years of Good Fight. One of our favourite collaborators.”
Someone else tributes: “RIP to Jerry Adler, who was a key production contributor to the original Broadway versions of My Fair Lad and Fiddler on the Roof, and later pivoted to acting. He was so memorable as Hesh in The Sopranos. What a career.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
