Jerry Adler dies at 96, leaving behind a remarkable career that spanned both Broadway and television. The actor, best known for his role as Hesh Rabkin in The Sopranos and Howard Lyman in The Good Wife, passed away peacefully in his sleep, his family confirmed. No cause of death was shared.
Born into a family deeply connected to Jewish and Yiddish theater, Adler worked on 53 Broadway productions before turning to acting in his 60s. He played key roles backstage as a stage manager, producer, and director, contributing to classics like the original My Fair Lady. His early work brought him into contact with stars such as Julie Andrews, Richard Burton, and Marlene Dietrich.
Jerry Adler dies at 96, but his career was far from ordinary. After Broadway slowed in the 1980s, Adler moved into television. A casting suggestion led to his first film role in The Public Eye (1992). From there, his acting career flourished for more than three decades.
He became a familiar face in shows like Rescue Me, Transparent, Northern Exposure, The West Wing, and Broad City. He even returned to Broadway as a performer, appearing in Elaine May’s Taller Than a Dwarf and Larry David’s Fish in the Dark.
In 2024, Adler published his memoir Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies. His life’s work, both behind the scenes and on screen, ensures that his legacy endures.
