• Jerry Adler, best known for his role in 'The Sopranos,' passed away at 96.
• Adler had a long career in theater before transitioning to acting in his 60s.
• He left behind a legacy of over 53 Broadway productions and numerous television roles.
• Adler was recognized for his dedication to acting up until his late years.
• His family confirmed he passed peacefully in his sleep.

Jerry Adler, who enjoyed a prolific career on Broadway before transitioning to on-screen acting later in life, has died at the age of 96. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, as confirmed by Paradigm Talent Agency and Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York. However, the immediate cause of death was not disclosed, according to HuffPost and SCMP.

Adler was particularly renowned for portraying Hesh Rabkin, the adviser to Tony Soprano in the critically acclaimed series "The Sopranos," appearing throughout all six seasons. He also featured in "The Good Wife" as law partner Howard Lyman, marking notable contributions to television narrative, as acknowledged by CBS News. Prior to his acting career, he had an extensive tenure behind the scenes in theater, participating in over 53 Broadway productions.

His background in the arts was influenced by his family's deep roots in Jewish and Yiddish theater. His father, Philip Adler, was a general manager for significant theatrical productions, and his cousin, Stella Adler, was a prominent acting teacher, which Adler noted in interviews with SCMP and HuffPost.

Before making his mark as an actor, Adler had a solid reputation in theater, having worked on productions such as the original "My Fair Lady" alongside great talents like Marlene Dietrich and Julie Andrews. After a downturn in Broadway's fortunes in the 1980s, he moved to California and continued working in television, as he mentioned during interviews with various media outlets, confirming details relayed by CBS News.

His foray into acting began when casting director Donna Isaacson approached him for a role in "The Public Eye," leading to his more than 30 years of consistent work in front of the camera. Adler expressed that he wasn’t initially comfortable with his appearance on screen, admitting he once thought he was "too goofy-looking" to act. Yet he recognized the irony of his situation, becoming immortalized in film, as he humorously asserted, "I'm immortal," according to SCMP and HuffPost.

Moreover, Adler's later years were marked by a return to Broadway, performing in "Taller Than a Dwarf" and Larry David's "Fish in the Dark." He published a memoir titled "Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies" just a year ago, maintaining a ready demeanor for future roles as he stated to CT Insider, "I’m ready to go at a moment’s notice," which highlights his enduring passion for acting, as detailed by CBS News and HuffPost.