The Death of Jerry Adler, Star of "Sopranos" and Veteran of Broadway

• Jerry Adler passed away at the age of 96 in New York City.
• He was well known for his role in the series "Sopranos" and as a Broadway producer.
• He left a significant legacy in the theatrical and television arts.

Jerry Adler, who spent decades behind the scenes of legendary Broadway productions, began his acting career in his sixties and passed away at the age of 96. His death was announced on Saturday, along with a brief statement from his family, confirmed by the Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York City.

Among Adler's acting credits was the role of Hesh Rabkin, a associate of Tony Soprano, in the series "Sopranos," and he was also a partner of the lawyer G. Gordon Liddy in "Good Friends." Before becoming an actor, Adler worked on 53 Broadway productions, performing functions as a director, producer, or assistant.

Adler came from a family with deep roots in the Jewish and Yiddish theater. His father, Philip Adler, was a general manager of the famous Group Theater, and his cousin Stella Adler was a legendary figure in acting mastery. He himself noted that he got his first job as a result of "nepotism."

After a lengthy career in theater, which included the original production of "My Beautiful Lady," Adler left Broadway in the 1980s and moved to California. There he worked on television projects, such as the popular series "Santa Barbara." However, a return to acting occurred when he was invited to audition for the film "Grandma's Boy." This incident marked the beginning of his successful career in front of the camera, which lasted over 30 years.

His first role in the series "Northern Exposure" opened the way to "Sopranos." Initially, he was only supposed to appear in one episode, but he soon became a regular character. Adler also appeared in the films of Woody Allen and had numerous television roles in series such as "The Sopranos," "Mad About You," and "Prozacs."

In 2000, he returned to Broadway, and in 2015 he appeared in the debut play of Larry David, "Fish in the Dark." Adler wrote his autobiography, which was published last year. In his last interviews, he spoke about not knowing whether he would retire and still enjoying working.

Jerry Adler left behind a rich legacy in the world of theater and television, and his memory will live on in his works.

Tags: USA/Culture