Jerry Adler, the brilliant actor who became a household name through his unforgettable role as Hesh Rabkin on The Sopranos, has passed away at the age of 96.

Born in Brooklyn in 1929, Adler’s journey to fame was anything but ordinary. Before he ever stepped in front of a camera, he spent decades working behind the scenes in theater, building an impressive career on Broadway. With more than 50 credits as a stage manager, producer, or director, he contributed to iconic productions like My Fair Lady and collaborated with legends such as Katharine Hepburn, Orson Welles, Julie Andrews, Richard Burton, and Marlene Dietrich. Coming from a family deeply rooted in Jewish theater—his cousin was the famed Stella Adler and his father managed the Group Theatre—he once joked that he was “a creature of nepotism,” crediting his father for helping him land his first backstage job while still in college.

It wasn’t until his 60s that Adler stumbled into acting, almost by accident. Encouraged by a casting director friend, he auditioned for The Public Eye with Joe Pesci and stunned the filmmakers with his natural presence. That audition launched a new chapter in his life, leading to television roles that would eventually secure him a place in entertainment history. He appeared in Northern Exposure before landing his role in The Sopranos, originally meant as a cameo. The character of Hesh proved so compelling that he became a recurring figure, serving as Tony Soprano’s trusted confidant and mentor. Fans of the show fondly recall his sharp wit and memorable one-liners, including a funeral scene where his dry delivery stole the moment.

Adler’s career didn’t stop there. He went on to shine as Howard Lyman in The Good Wife, while also appearing in shows like The West Wing, Rescue Me, Transparent, and Broad City. On the film side, he left his mark with roles in projects like Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery. Despite his success in Hollywood, Adler never left his first love behind. He returned to Broadway multiple times, including in Taller Than a Dwarf and Larry David’s Fish in the Dark. To him, retirement was never an option—he often said he wouldn’t know what to do without the joy of performing.