The Legacy of Jerry Adler: Legendary Character Actor and 'The Sopranos' Icon Passes at 96

Jerry Adler, whose unforgettable performance as the shrewd money lender Herman “Hesh” Rabkin became synonymous with HBO’s groundbreaking The Sopranos, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday. The accomplished performer was 96. No cause of death was disclosed. His passing was confirmed through a statement by his representative at Paradigm Talent Agency and Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York.

A Life on Stage and Screen

Born on February 4, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, Adler’s seven-decade career began not in front of cameras but behind the scenes. Starting in 1950, he worked as a stage manager on theatrical productions including the classics Of Thee I Sing and My Fair Lady. His eye for production eventually led him to direct numerous plays, most notably helming the 1976 revival of My Fair Lady and earning a Drama Desk Award nomination for his work on the 1974 Sammy Cohn revue Words and Music.

It wasn’t until the late 1970s that Adler transitioned fully to performing, embarking on an acting career at an age when many consider retirement. His television work included guest appearances on series like Quantum Leap, Northern Exposure, and New York Undercover. He earned recurring roles in shows such as the acclaimed drama Rescue Me, the legal thriller The Good Wife, and the HBO series Transparent.

The Role That Defined a Generation

Yet it was Adler’s portrayal of Hesh Rabkin in The Sopranos—the cunning character who served as financial advisor and confidant to Tony Soprano—that cemented his place in television immortality. The character’s dry wit and complex relationships with the show’s ensemble cast, including Robert Iler’s A.J. Soprano, made Hesh an indispensable element of the series’ success. This role introduced Adler to millions of viewers and became the defining achievement of his career.

Film and Final Years

Beyond television, Adler appeared in notable films spanning multiple decades, including Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery, The Prince of Tides, and the Coen Brothers’ acclaimed indie film Inside Llewyn Davis. In 2024, he published a memoir titled Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television and the Movies, offering readers a glimpse into his remarkable artistic journey.

Adler is survived by his four daughters. He left behind a distinguished body of work that demonstrated his versatility and commitment to his craft across theatre, television, and film.