Jerry Adler, ‘Sopranos’ star and New York native, dead at 96

Jerry Adler, the veteran actor who famously starred in The Sopranos, died Saturday, his family announced. He was 96.

Adler was born in Brooklyn and died surrounded by loved ones in New York City. His death announcement stated proudly, “Jerry was a resident of New York, New York.”

He famously played the Jewish consigliere “Herman ‘Hesh’ Rabkin” on The Sopranos, appearing in 28 episodes across all six seasons.

Jerry Adler attends “The Sopranos” Final Season World Premiere Red Carpet at Radio City Music Hall in NYC on March 27, 2007. WireImage

The late blooming actor also starred in hit shows “The Good Wife” and “Rescue Me.”

Adler, the cousin of famed acting teacher Stella Adler, began his career on Broadway and was the stage manager on the original production of the legendary play “My Fair Lady.”

He later appeared in several major films, including Woody Allen’s “Manhattan Murder Mystery” and Charlie Kaufman’s “Synechdoche, New York.”

Vincent Pastore, James Gandolfini, Tony Sirico, Michael Imperioli, Jerry Adler during season two of “The Sopranos.” HBO

Colleagues and creators remembered Adler for his ability to own a line and steal a scene.

“The intent was only to have him on one episode of THE GOOD WIFE,” showrunner Robert King shared on X following the saddening news.

“But he was so funny in a diner scene, yelling “I said ice cream, you stupid b*tch” we had him back for six years of Good Wife and three years of Good Fight. One of our favorite collaborators,” King concluded.

Adler himself shared his sage perspective on a life in show business.

“You know what’s interesting,” he said in a 2017 interview, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

“You spend your whole career backstage. Nobody knows who you are or even knows your name. They don’t know anything about you.”

“And then you do a television show and suddenly you’re a celebrity and everyone knows your face. It’s so weird.”

Adler’s fame peaked as the character “Hesh” on The Sopranos, contributing many memorable scenes, and the iconic line, uttered in season one, “A hit is a hit.”