The Sopranos star Jerry Adler passes away at 96
Veteran actor Jerry Adler, known for his works in American theater and television hits The Sopranos and Rescue me has passed away at the age of 96.
Adler’s family has not yet disclosed the cause of death however, his longtime friend Frank J. Reilly confirmed the news on Saturday, August 23.
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. Check out his IMDb page. https://t.co/BeOLeEliOb pic.twitter.com/fnbB8soWy4
— Frank J. Reilly (@FrankJReilly1) August 23, 2025
Jerry gave more than seven decades of his life to the industry, beginning behind the scenes in the 1950s.
He was born in a noted New York theater family and he began his journey as a stage manager contributing to numerous iconic Broadway productions, including the legendary My Fair Lady. He also directed several Broadway shows before transitioning to acting.
Although he was not seen on screen until his 60s, Jerry became a recognizable presence on television very quickly. He portrayed Hesh Rabkin, a close advisor to Tony Soprano in HBO’s The Sopranos which earned him a massive fan base. He also won hearts as Chief Sidney Fine in FX’s Rescue Me, where his performance blended warmth with quiet authority.
In addition to these standout roles, Adler appeared in Brooklyn Bridge, Broad City, and Mad about You, among other popular series. His ability to bring depth and authenticity to supporting roles and his flawless prowess made him a beloved character actor to audiences and peers alike.
Tributes poured in from friends, colleagues, and fans. Frank J. Reilly shared a heartfelt post recalling Adler’s generosity, noting that Adler once helped his son land a job on The Sopranos, and years later, that same son helped Adler secure a role in Rescue Me.
Jerry Adler was recovering from gastric surgery when he shot the pilot for The Sopranos. He convinced his doctor to give him a day pass and returned to the hospital when filming completed. He was lucky with the wardrobe for that scene too, which easily hid his abdominal bandage. pic.twitter.com/r5SaUvZonX
— 633 Stag Trail Road ???? (@pityforyourself) August 24, 2025
Jerry Adler was recovering from gastric surgery when he shot the pilot for The Sopranos. He convinced his doctor to give him a day pass and returned to the hospital when filming completed. He was lucky with the wardrobe for that scene too, which easily hid his abdominal bandage. pic.twitter.com/r5SaUvZonX
— 633 Stag Trail Road ???? (@pityforyourself) August 24, 2025
RIP Jerry Adler. He started acting in his 60s, acted 28 years and still had several years’ retirement, all after working on Broadway productions since 1950. pic.twitter.com/kdR8X4j2wN
— Matthew Rettenmund (@mattrett) August 24, 2025