Jerry Adler, who got his start working backstage on Broadway before becoming a later-in-life TV star,died Saturday, August 23, at the age of 96,according to The Hollywood Reporter. His cousin was the renowned acting teacherStella Adler, but Jerry didn't get into acting until his early 60s. He went on to play some legendary characters — NYFD station chief Sidney Feinberg onRescue Me, Herman "Hesh" Rabkin, consigliere for Tony Soprano (the lateJames Gandolfini) onThe Sopranos, and the iconic law partner Howard Lyman onThe Good WifeandThe Good Fight. After learning of Adler's death,Good WifeandGood FightcreatorRobert Kingtook to X(formerly Twitter) to share how Adler wasn't supposed to be onThe Good Wifepast one episode, but he was so amazing in the role that they kept writing him into the show and then kept him on the spinoff. RELATED: Emmy-Winning '80s Drama 'China Beach' Finally Returns — Here's Where to Watch "Jerry Adler died yesterday. 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 bitch' we had him back for six years ofGood Wifeand three years ofGood Fight," wrote King. He finished by calling Alder "one of our favorite collaborators." King co-createdThe Good WifeandThe Good Fightwith his wife Michelle King. The episode he is referring to was Adler's Good Wife debut, season 2, episode 16 "Great Firewall." RELATED: Two '80s Legends Returning to TV Adler also had key recurring roles on several other hit shows. He played Rabbi Alan Schulman onNorthern Exposure, the handyman onMad About Youand the father of Maura Pfefferman (Jeffrey Tambor) onTransparent. Hesaid in a 2017 interviewthat it was quite strange to go from being behind the scenes his whole life to suddenly being recognized by people on the street. "You know what's interesting? 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," said Adler. Adler is survived by his wife of 31 years,Joan Laxman. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 This story was originally reported byParadeon Aug 24, 2025, where it first appeared in theNewssection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.
