Actor Jerry Adler, best known for his roles on “The Sopranos” and “The Good Wife,” has died.
According to his obituary from the Riverside Memorial Chapel, the actor, a resident of New York, died Aug. 23, 2025, at age 96.
A cause of death was not listed in the obituary.
Robert King, who co-created “The Good Wife,” confirmed Adler’s death on X and shared a tribute, revealing that the actor’s character of Howard Lyman was only meant to have a cameo in the series.
“Jerry Adler died yesterday,” King wrote. “The intent was only to have him for one episode of THE GOOD WIFE, but he was so funny in a diner scene, yelling ‘I said ice cream, you stupid b—-’ we had him back for six years of Good Wife and three years of Good Fight. One of our favorite collaborators.”
Prior to the “The Good Wife,” Adler was well-known for his “The Sopranos” portrayal of Herman “Hesh” Rabkin, adviser to Tony Soprano. He also held several other recurring roles, including Howard Lyman on “The Good Wife” spin-off “The Good Fight,” and Sidney Feinberg on “Rescue Me.”
However, prior to his work on screen, the actor largely worked behind-the-scenes, following in his father’s footsteps.
His father, Philip Adler, was previously the GM of the Group Theater and served as a producer, company manager and general manager across two dozen Broadway productions.
Speaking to the outlet TheaterMania in March 2015, Jerry Adler said, “I’m a creature of nepotism.”
“I got my first job when I was at Syracuse University and my father, the general manager of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, called me [because] there was an opening for an assistant stage manager,” he explained. “I skipped school.”
He had a storied career working on Broadway, with more than 50 credits to his name as a stage manager, production supervisor and director, according to Playbill. He also assisted the famous Broadway stage manager Samuel “Biff” Liff, including working on the original production of “My Fair Lady.”
Adler didn’t come to acting until later in life, telling TheaterMania, “I probably would have retired when I was sixty-five as a stage manager and director. But then at sixty-five, I started acting.”
Like his role on “The Good Wife,” Adler came on “The Sopranos” as a cameo, with the actor explaining, “When David Chase was doing the pilot, he called me because he had a cameo for this Jewish guy. They liked the character. Ten years later…”
Michael Imperioli, who starred as Christopher Moltisanti on “The Sopranos,” posted a touching tribute to Adler on Instagram, calling him a “fantastic actor” and “the kindest of human beings.”
“He brought so much humor, intelligence and truth to the role of Herman ‘Hesh’ Rabkin and was one of my favorite characters on The Sopranos,” he wrote. “I loved working and spending time with Jerry. A true class act. Much love to the family.”
Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who starred as Meadow Soprano on the HBO series, reposted Imperioli’s tribute on her Instagram story. She added a brief message of her own, writing, “What a wonderful man an actor.”
Steven Van Zandt, who appeared as Silvio Dante in “The Sopranos,” re-shared an article about Adler’s death on the social media site X.
“RIP Jerry Adler,” he wrote. “Such an honor working with you. Travel well my friend.”
