Hollywood has lost a true titan with the passing of Jerry Adler, a veteran actor whose gritty charm graced screens big and small, from the mobster dens of "The Sopranos" to the legal battles of "The Good Wife."
Breitbart reported that Adler's family announced the somber news on Saturday, marking the end of a storied career that spanned decades of Broadway backstage work and a late-blooming acting journey.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on Feb. 4, 1929, Adler cut his teeth in the entertainment world not in front of the camera, but behind the scenes as a Broadway director and stage manager.
His early years were spent shaping productions, a quiet craftsman in a world of spotlights. It’s a reminder that hard work, not instant fame, builds character—something today’s selfie-obsessed culture could stand to learn.
Remarkably, Adler didn’t step into acting until his mid-60s, proving it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. In an era where progressive agendas often push youth over experience, his story stands as a quiet rebellion against ageist narratives.
Once he started, there was no stopping him—he racked up an impressive list of onscreen credits in the last 30 years of his life. His first notable TV role came as Rabbi Alan Schulman in the 1990s drama "Northern Exposure," a character that hinted at the depth he’d bring to future projects.
But it was as Herman “Hesh” Rabkin, Tony Soprano’s consigliere in HBO’s groundbreaking "The Sopranos," that Adler truly made his mark.
Appearing in 51 episodes from 1999 to 2007, he shared most of his scenes with the late James Gandolfini, crafting a dynamic that became iconic. In a world of over-the-top streaming content today, their nuanced performances remind us of storytelling done right.
During the same period, Adler took on the role of NYFD station chief Sidney Feinberg in the firefighter drama "Rescue Me," showcasing his versatility. It’s refreshing to see an actor tackle real, grounded roles without the need for virtue-signaling plotlines that plague so much of modern TV.
His film work was equally notable, with credits in "Manhattan Murder Mystery" (1993), "In Her Shoes" (2005), and "A Most Violent Year" (2014), the latter alongside Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. These roles highlighted his ability to adapt across genres, a skill that seems rare in today’s typecast-heavy Hollywood.
Adler’s cousin, the legendary acting coach Stella Adler, who mentored stars like Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro, no doubt influenced his craft. It’s a family legacy of excellence, one that stands apart from the nepotism often criticized in entertainment circles today.
Speaking on his late entry to fame, Adler once mused, “You spend your whole career backstage. Nobody knows who you are.”
He continued, “And then you do a television show and suddenly you’re a celebrity.” That shift from anonymity to recognition must have been jarring, yet it underscores a truth—real talent eventually shines, no matter how long it takes, unlike the manufactured stardom pushed by today’s social media algorithms.
A friend, Frank J. Reilly, paid tribute, saying, “The great actor, my friend Jerry Adler, died today at the age of 96.” While heartfelt, such words also remind us how fleeting time is, and how we must honor those who’ve paved the way before the cultural tide shifts to the next trending topic.
Adler’s personal life was as enduring as his career, having been married to Joan Laxman since 1994. In a society that often devalues long-term commitment, their decades together stand as a quiet testament to traditional values.
From his Brooklyn roots to his late-in-life Hollywood ascent, Adler’s journey is one of perseverance and grit. His roles, especially as Hesh in "The Sopranos," gave us characters who were complex, flawed, and real—far from the sanitized, politically correct figures we’re often fed today.