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Jerry Adler, the actor best known for late-career roles in \u201cThe Sopranos\u201d and \u201cThe Good Wife\u201d<\/a> after a long backstage Broadway tenure, died Saturday. He was 96.<\/p>\n Adler\u2019s death was announced<\/a> Sunday by his family. His cause of death was not released.<\/p>\n Adler \u201cwas a fantastic actor and the kindest of human beings,\u201d fellow \u201cSopranos\u201d star Michael Imperioli wrote on social media<\/a>. \u201cI loved working and spending time with Jerry. A true class act. Much love to the family.\u201d<\/p>\n Though most people would likely recognize Adler from his late career TV roles, the Brooklyn native had a full career on Broadway<\/a> before ever appearing in front of the camera.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a creature of nepotism<\/a>,\u201d Adler told Theater Mania in 2015. \u201cI got my first job when I was at Syracuse University and my father, the general manager of \u2018Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,\u2019 called me [because] there was an opening for an assistant stage manager. I skipped school.\u201d<\/p>\n On Broadway, Adler racked up 53 credits behind the stage, most often as a producer, director or stage manager. He didn\u2019t appear on TV until 1991, when he popped into an episode of \u201cBrooklyn Bridge.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n His most famous role followed eight years later, when he starred as Tony Soprano\u2019s close advisor Hesh Rabkin<\/a>. Adler appeared in 28 episodes of the award-winning show across its six seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen [showrunner] David [Chase] was going to do the pilot for \u2018The Sopranos\u2019 he called and asked me if I would do a cameo of Hesh<\/a>,\u201d Adler told the Jewish news outlet Forward in 2015. \u201cIt was just supposed to be a one-shot. But when they picked up the show they liked the character, and I would come on every fourth week.\u201d<\/p>\n Following \u201cThe Sopranos,\u201d Adler also picked up similarly recurring roles in \u201cRescue Me\u201d and \u201cThe Good Wife,\u201d where he starred as law partner Howard Lyman<\/a>.<\/p>\n After proving his skills on the screen, Adler stepped in front of the curtain for two small Broadway roles as well, in \u201cTaller Than a Dwarf\u201d and \u201cFish in the Dark,\u201d the latter of which was written by old friend Larry David<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Larry calls, you answer,\u201d Adler told Theater Mania. \u201cIt was too funny to turn down. And, of course, I don\u2019t work too much in this. When they say I\u2019m on Broadway\u2026I\u2019m in a bed on Broadway.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2024, Adler published a memoir, \u201cToo Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies.\u201d He is survived by his wife, Joan Laxman.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n