Jerry Adler was a Broadway stage veteran turned beloved television figure, whose late-in-life pivot to acting made him a cherished character actor. At the time of his passing in August 2025, his net worth was estimated at $4 million, reflecting decades of work in theater, film, and television—from backstage productions to standout roles in The Sopranos and The Good Wife. This piece explores the full arc of his life, career, and legacy.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jerry Adler |
| Born / Died | February 4, 1929 – August 23, 2025 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $4 million |
| Primary Roles | Hesh Rabkin (The Sopranos), Howard Lyman (The Good Wife) |
| Broadway Credits | Over 50 shows as stage manager, production supervisor, director |
| Marital Status | Married three times; survived by wife Joan Laxman and children |
Age & Height
Jerry Adler lived to be 96 years old, passing away peacefully in his sleep in New York City. According to Celebrity Net Worth, his height is listed at approximately 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) . Such stature helped him command both stage and screen—even when stepping into acting in his sixties.
Childhood & Education
Growing up in Brooklyn, Jerry Adler was steeped in theater from a young age. He was born into the famous Adler family—his father, Philip Adler, was a theater manager, and his cousin was the legendary acting teacher Stella Adler. Raised in a Yiddish-speaking Jewish household, Adler attended Samuel J. Tilden High School, where he became president of the school’s Dramatic Club, before moving on to Syracuse University. His formative years were defined by curtain calls and shadowing seasoned performers—a classical apprenticeship.
Family & Personal Life
Jerry Adler was married three times. His first marriage, in the 1950s, was to Dolores Parker, with whom he had children, including casting director Laura Adler. His second marriage to Cathy Rice likewise ended in divorce. In 1994, he married Joan Laxman, a psychologist, and they remained together until his death. At his passing, Adler was survived by Joan and four daughters—Alisa, Amy, Laura, and Emily. He resided in an apartment in New York after years on a farm in Connecticut, where the couple kept horses.
Career
Broadway Beginnings and Stagecraft
Jerry Adler’s career began backstage, not in front of cameras. He built a formidable reputation as a stage manager, production supervisor, and director for more than 50 Broadway productions. Among them were iconic shows like My Fair Lady, Of Thee I Sing, The Apple Tree, Coco, Annie, and Dear World. He made his directorial debut in 1974 with a Sammy Cahn revue and directed a revival of My Fair Lady in 1976—a work that earned him a Drama Desk nomination. These decades backstage forged his artistry and reputation.
Late-Blooming Acting Career
At age 62, Jerry Adler transitioned to acting almost by accident. His screen debut came in the early 1990s—first with a small role in Brooklyn Bridge, then in the film The Public Eye, where he impressed filmmakers despite his lack of acting aspirations. Woody Allen cast him in Manhattan Murder Mystery in 1993, which opened more doors in film.
Television and Film Roles
Jerry Adler’s best-known television role was Herman “Hesh” Rabkin on The Sopranos. Originally intended as a minor appearance, the role expanded to 28 episodes between 1999 and 2007, becoming one of the show’s most beloved characters. He delivered wisdom and dry wit as Tony Soprano’s adviser and long-time friend.
Not long after, he took on Howard Lyman in The Good Wife (and later The Good Fight). What began as a single-episode appearance turned into a recurring role across the series due to his sharp comedic presence.
Other roles included Fire Chief Sidney Feinberg in Rescue Me, Mr. Wicker in Mad About You, and parts in Transparent, Broad City, among others.
On the big screen, Jerry Adler appeared in films such as In Her Shoes (2005), Prime (2005), A Most Violent Year (2014), Synecdoche, New York (2008), and Driveways (2019).
Memoir & Reflection
In 2024, Jerry Adler published his memoir, Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies, reflecting on decades in theater and his remarkable pivot into acting. He often mused on the oddity of becoming a recognizable actor late in life, saying: “You spend your whole career backstage… then you do a television show and suddenly you’re a celebrity. It’s so weird.”
Net Worth & Sources of Income
Jerry Adler’s estimated net worth at his death was $4 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth and other reliable outlets. That sum reflects steady earnings from decades in theater direction and production, recurring television roles, and film appearances. While some less authoritative reports suggest figures up to $8 million, the widely cited estimate is $4 million.
His income came from multiple streams: behind-the-scenes Broadway work, acting fees from television and film, and possibly residuals from successful shows like The Sopranos and The Good Wife. As a late-blooming actor, Jerry Adler proved that talent and perseverance pay off—even when recognition comes later in life.
Personal Life & Personality
Though Jerry Adler lived in relative privacy, those close to him described a warm, wryly funny professional. He embraced life fully, quipping that he was “immortal” because his face lived on television and film long after reaching fame. His marriage to Joan Laxman endured for over three decades. The couple’s time on a Connecticut farm—raising horses—showed a quieter side to the man who once stood center stage.
Friends and colleagues remember him as gentle, humorous, and deeply respected. After his passing, tributes highlighted both his human warmth and his artistry.
Social Media Presence
Jerry Adler did not maintain a prominent public presence on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. His focus remained on work and family rather than digital self-promotion. Mentions of his career and legacy now appear through memorial posts by fans, co-stars, and entertainment outlets following his passing.
FAQs about Jerry Adler
Q1: What was Jerry Adler’s net worth?
His net worth was estimated at approximately $4 million at the time of his death.
Q2: When did he start acting?
Jerry Adler began acting in his early 60s, after a long career backstage in Broadway production.
Q3: Which roles made him famous?
His most iconic role was as Hesh Rabkin in The Sopranos, later followed by Howard Lyman in The Good Wife.
Q4: Did he publish a memoir?
Yes—in 2024 he published Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies.
Q5: Who survives him?
Jerry Adler is survived by his wife, Joan Laxman, and four daughters: Alisa, Amy, Laura, and Emily.
Conclusion
Jerry Adler’s journey from a Broadway stage manager to a celebrated character actor is a testament to the virtues of craft, patience, and reinvention. His legacy endures not only through his memorable characters—like Hesh Rabkin and Howard Lyman—but also through the many Broadway productions he helped bring to life behind the scenes. With an estimated net worth of $4 million, Jerry Adler leaves behind not just financial achievements but a broader legacy of passion and dedication.
His life reminds us that great roles—and recognition—can come at any stage. Jerry Adler’s story remains an inspiring chapter in entertainment history: a tale of a late-blooming star who proved that it is never too late to step into the spotlight.