The Sopranos: 5 scenes that prove Jerry Adler’s Hesh Rabkin was the coolest guy in the drama series

Jerry Adler, who played Herman “Hesh” Rabkin, a wealthy Jewish music producer, loan shark, and an old friend of the Sopranos family, passed away on August 23, 2025, at the age of 96, surrounded by loved ones in New York City.

Born on February 4, 1929, in New York City, Adler pursued a career in theatre production. He worked as a stage manager and director on Broadway classics including My Fair Lady, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and The Apple Tree. In the popular show The Sopranos, his character, Hesh, is shown to have strong ties to Tony's father, and he continues to serve as a trusted advisor for Tony. Unlike Tony’s crew, Hesh isn’t a formal member of the Mafia; he’s more of an associate who makes money through loans, music royalties, and shady business deals. He appeared in 28 episodes from seasons 1 to 6.

Here are his 5 iconic scenes from the show that prove him as one of the coolest characters.

Here are his 5 iconic scenes from The Sopranos that prove him as one of the coolest characters.

1. The horse dispute with Ralphie

In season 4 episode 9, Whoever Did This, Tony and Ralphie clash over Pir-O-My's death. Tony suspects that Ralphie is behind the stable fire. Ralphie furiously insists that Tony should look at the situation rationally. Why would he harm the horse, yet it brings him money and prestige? Tony is seething with rage, his emotions clouding his judgment, lashing out at Ralphie both verbally and physically.

Here, Hesh, sitting quietly, steps in with calm, pointed comments. He doesn’t take sides, but he undercuts the tension with dry logic and wit. This is why Tony trusts Hesh, for his business sense and the ability to stay calm even in chaos.

2. The shylock lesson

In season 1 episode 10, Christopher Moltisanti and Adriana La Cerva want to break into the music business. Hesh comes forward to school them on how things really work. Hesh explains the record business like a loan shark. He explains how labels recoup all expenses before the artist receives anything. They just receive the advance while never seeing the real money afterwards. Royalties are structured to favour producers and labels, not the musicians. He details how “owning the masters” is where the power and money lie.

He proves himself as both a mentor and someone who knows how to command a room without raising his voice.

3. His straight talk with Tony

Unlike most of Tony’s crew in The Sopranos, Hesh isn’t afraid to call him out directly. Tony is someone who could be intimidating for most of his crew, but Hesh stands out. In one of the scenes, when Tony rants about stress and money, Hesh tells him that greed and ego are the root cause of most of the problems.

Therefore, being a confidante of Tony's father as well, Hesh talks to him almost as an equal, like a trusted uncle who doesn’t need to fear him.

4. The Carmela investment advice

In season 4, episode 11 of The Sopranos, titled Calling All Cars, Carmela, worried about her financial independence, seeks out Hesh for money advice. He doesn't seem to be dismissive but rather treats her concerns with respect and offers clear and smart financial guidance.

That small interaction shows his cool-headed wisdom. He’s a man who knows money inside and out, and unlike the gangsters around him, he doesn’t let pride cloud his judgment.

5. The joke about Tony’s therapy

When Tony starts to take therapy in The Sopranos, Hesh also jokes about his condition without malice. He stands out as that one sharp-tongued elder but also someone who could be trusted and lighten the intense situations with his expertise and humour, while staying respected by Tony, making him one of the smoothest presences in the entire show.

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Watch The Sopranos now to witness Jerry's one of the greatest performances as Hesh Rabkin.

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