Jerry Adler died at 96, reportedly passing peacefully in his sleep and leaving four daughters. He was best known for portraying Herman "Hesh" Rabkin, an adviser to Tony Soprano, debuting in The Sopranos pilot in 1999 and continuing through the final season. Adler earlier worked as a stage manager and theater director and did not begin acting until his 60s, taking a small role on Brooklyn Bridge in 1991 after being recruited by Brad Hall. He later appeared on shows such as Quantum Leap and Northern Exposure; David Chase, who produced Northern Exposure, later cast him in The Sopranos pilot.
A representative confirmed to USA TODAY on Sunday, Aug. 24, that the actor "passed peacefully in his sleep." He is survived by his four daughters. Adler starred as Herman "Hesh" Rabkin, an adviser to Tony Soprano ( James Gandolfini), on "The Sopranos." He debuted in the role in the acclaimed HBO series' first episode in 1999 and continued playing the character through the final season.
In his 2024 memoir "Too Funny for Words," Adler explained that he was recruited for the role by Julia Louis-Dreyfus' husband Brad Hall, who "stopped me one day" and asked if he was an actor. "I told him who I was, and he explained he was doing a pilot called 'Brooklyn Bridge' and he needed one more character for it," he wrote in the book.
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