Jerry Adler, best known to TV fans as Hesh Rabkin on The Sopranos, passed away on August 23, 2025, at the age of 96. A family representative said he passed peacefully in his sleep, according to Fox News. The news was reported widely on August 24, with obituaries and confirmations from The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times, NBC News, and Yahoo Entertainment.
Adler’s death date is consistent across reports. However, some outlets add that he died “peacefully in his sleep,” while others simply confirm his passing without a cause. Either way, the industry is mourning a steady, scene-lifting presence.
Why Jerry Adler mattered to The Sopranos
As “Hesh” on The Sopranos, Adler brought warmth and edge to Tony’s orbit. He was a trusted adviser and a moral counterweight. Moreover, his dry humor often cut through the show’s darkest moments. Several outlets highlight that role first, reflecting how strongly fans associate Jerry Adler with The Sopranos and the show’s legacy.
Consequently, tributes online centered on Hesh’s best scenes and quotable lines. The performance felt grounded and human. Fans of The Sopranos often credit Adler with giving the series a lived-in history.
Beyond Hesh: The Good Wife, Rescue Me, and more
Adler’s résumé ran deep. He recurred as Howard Lyman on The Good Wife, which many headlines cite alongside The Sopranos. He also appeared in Rescue Me and numerous other projects over the course of three decades. Furthermore, his consistency made him a go-to supporting actor in prestige TV.
For many viewers, that second act is what makes his career stand out. He stayed busy and continued to find new audiences. Notably, those later roles broadened his fan base beyond Sopranos diehards.
A Broadway life before TV
Before on-camera fame, Adler worked behind the scenes in theater. Reports note a long stint in stage management and directing, including classic Broadway productions. That deep craft likely shaped his grounded screen style.
Due to his background, colleagues remembered him as generous and precise. Moreover, it explains how he arrived on television fully formed, even later in life.
Industry reaction and what’s confirmed
- Multiple outlets confirmed the death on August 24, 2025. The passing occurred on August 23, 2025.
- Fox News reports he died “peacefully in his sleep”; not every outlet specifies a cause.
- Obituary features emphasize his roles in The Sopranos and The Good Wife, plus decades of theater work.
In short, the tributes frame him as a steady pro with range. Fans of Jerry Adler will keep returning to The Sopranos to remember his best work.
Editor’s note: If additional details emerge about memorial plans or survivors, we will update this information accordingly. Several reports focus on career highlights first, which is typical for early obituaries.
Jerry Adler’s screen presence never pushed for attention, yet it always mattered. Therefore, his legacy endures in every quiet beat with Hesh Rabkin.
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