R.I.P Jerry Orbach

[BeyondTheGrave]

Jerry Orbach, the stage actor who became best known for his long-running role on TV's Law & Order, died Tuesday night after several weeks of treatment for prostate cancer; he was 69. Orbach was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year just as he had started production on the Law & Order franchise's fourth series, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, slated for broadcast in early 2005. The Bronx-born actor initially found fame on the stage, starring as the narrator in the soon-to-be long-running The Fantasticks, and then going on to star in a number of big-budget musicals for Broadway producer David Merrick. Winning a Tony award for Promises, Promises (based on the movie The Apartment), Orbach also created roles in the legendary musicals Chicago in 1975 and 42nd Street in 1980. His onscreen career, in both TV and film, started with low-key character parts, but he rose to prominence in the 80s with roles in movies such as Prince of the City, Crimes and Misdemeanors, F/X, and Dirty Dancing, in which he played the supportive father of Jennifer Grey's Baby. Orbach also provided the voice for the singing candelabra Lumiere in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, in which he sang the show-stopping "Be Our Guest" number. It was his 12-year stint as street-smart New York detective Lennie Briscoe on Law & Order, however, that would become his signature role and make him an instantly recognizable face to millions of viewers. Joining the show in its third season, he received an Emmy nomination for the part in 2000 and became the actor most readily associated with the hit New York-based show, so much so that the city of New York declared him a "living landmark" in 2002. Orbach is survived by his second wife, Elaine (whom he met while doing Chicago and married in 1979), and two sons, Chris Orbach and Tony Orbach, from his first marriage.

I liked him in law and order. I watched it all the time

"I know I know ive been exposed permeant psychoses..
at least the colors are nice"- Aeon Flux

[Menard]

Jerry Orbach did a TV series in the mid-eighties called 'The Law and Harry McGraw' in which he played the title character. The series was short lived, but for some reason I always remember him as that character. His role in 'F/X' as a mobster is quite a departure from the type of character people are used to seeing him play in 'Law & Order'. A clarification for those who have not seen 'Dirty Dancing': Jerry Orbach played Jennifer Grey's father; her character was called 'Baby'.

[Mr_Vindictive]

Read this quite sad news yesterday.

Really hate to see Orbach go.  He was a fantastic actor, and was one of the only reasons why I made a  point to watch Law And Order.  He will be missed.

[ErikJ]

My wife was a big fan of his
She was very saddened when we saw the news on TV

[Sugar_Nads]

He shall be sorely missed... Poor guy, I really enjoyed his performances on Law & Order. He was one of the only actors that really drew you into what was going on.

[ulthar]

God Bless, Jerry.  You'll be missed.

[trekgeezer]

Jerry was a versatile actor. I think he really liked th Law and Order gig, because it was filmed in his home town.  Lennie was really the heart of the cop part of the show.  I'll miss seeing him in the new  one. Does anyone know if he had completed any episodes?

[DARKWOLF]

It's really sad to hear one of  my favorite actors Jerry Orbach has died. Does anybody remember he was the cartoon  voice of Zachary Foxx on The Adventures Of The Galaxy Rangers? A while back I didn't realized that was him he was one talated actor. R.I.P. Jerry Orbach.

[Menard]

I would like to personally thank Rich for the thoughtfulness in posting this topic and the excellent bio you have provided. As each of us shares our favorite roles and memories of Jerry Orbach, it becomes clear that, although best known for his work on 'Law & Order', he did so much more. When you turned on the television and he was there it was like seeing a good friend; he had that kind of impact in his roles. His passing not only will create an absence in 'Law & Order', but an absence in the entertainment industry as well.

[BeyondTheGrave]

I would like to take credit but I really got it from IMDB. Also other werid thing when I was posting this topic I was watching whos the boss and jerry was in it And here in new york city on broadway the dimed the lights for  a tribute for jerry.

"I know I know ive been exposed permeant psychoses..
at least the colors are nice"- Aeon Flux



Post Edited (12-31-04 00:16)

[Dave Munger]

Just finally got around to putting my little Jerry Orboch tribute up on my blog. It's pretty much just a link back to here and a cool picture, and my comments don't work.

http://davemunger.blogspot.com/2004/12/jerry-orbach1935-2004-image-from.html

[Ash]

Man, this sucks so bad that he finally passed on.
I was commenting to a friend last week about how he got all the best lines on Law & Order.

I wonder if his diagnoses of prostate cancer was his reason for leaving the show.
I'll bet a bundle it was.

[Gecko Brothers]

He was a great actor.

[Jennifer]

Jerry completed 3 episodes for the new Law & Order spin-off, Law & Order: Trial by Jury.  He ended his stint with Law & Order to take the job on Trial by Jury so he would have a reduced work load.  

Rest in peace Jerry... We will miss you.

[Shirley Cole]

Nobody can ever replace Lennie Briscoe.  There was only one Lennie and his character will last a lifetime.  They can have one character after another but  as Dick Wolfe said  "He is irreplaceable".  I think so too.

I will miss him on Law and Order, it will never be the same for me.