Jerry Adler, Star of ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘The Good Wife’, Dead at 96

Jerry Adler, the veteran actor and Broadway fixture best known to television audiences for his roles on The Sopranos and The Good Wife, has died at the age of 96. Adler passed away peacefully in New York City on August 23, 2025, surrounded by his family, according to a statement from his representatives. His death marks the loss of a performer whose career bridged both the stage and screen, earning him admiration from colleagues and generations of viewers alike.

Jerry Adler’s Early Career

Born February 4, 1929, in Brooklyn, Adler built a prolific career behind the scenes before launching his acting journey in his 60s. On Broadway, he contributed as a stage manager, producer, and director—most notably on the original My Fair Lady and dozens of other productions.

His on-screen debut came in the early 1990s with roles in Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Murder Mystery, but it was as Herman “Hesh” Rabkin—Tony Soprano’s trusted consigliere—that he secured his legacy in The Sopranos, appearing across all six seasons. Later, he charmed audiences as Howard Lyman on The Good Wife (2011–2016), returning in The Good Fight spin-off in season one and two.

Remembering Jerry Adler’s Legacy

Colleagues celebrated Adler’s sharp wit and warmth. The Good Wife co-creator Robert King recalled that Adler—originally hired for a single episode—became a fixture thanks to his unforgettable diner scene line: “I said ice cream, you stupid b—-“.

Adler last role was in Driveways in 2019 directed by Andrew Ahn in which he played Rodger.

Adler’s life, marked by a late-blooming acting career and early decades behind the curtain, leaves a singular legacy in both theater and television. He is survived by his wife, Joan Laxman, and remembered as a warm, brilliant presence on screen and stage.