University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Northwestern University Actors Studio
Occupation(s)
Actor, singer
Years active
1955–2004
Known for
Lennie Briscoe in Law & Order Lumière in Beauty and the Beast Jake Houseman in Dirty Dancing
Spouses
Marta Curro
(m. 1958; div. 1975)
Elaine Cancilla
(m. 1979)
Children
2
Jerome Bernard Orbach (October 20, 1935 – December 28, 2004) was an American actor and singer, described at the time of his death as "one of the last bona fide leading men of the Broadway musical and global celebrity on television"[1] and a "versatile stage and film actor".[2]
Orbach's professional career began on the New York stage, both on and off-Broadway, where he created roles such as El Gallo in the original off-Broadway run of The Fantasticks (1960) and became the first performer to sing that show's standard "Try to Remember",[3] Billy Flynn in the original Chicago (1975–1977), and Julian Marsh in 42nd Street (1980–1985). Nominated for multiple Tony Awards, Orbach won for his performance as Chuck Baxter in Promises, Promises (1968–1972).[4]
Later in his career, Orbach played supporting roles in films such as Prince of the City (1981), Dirty Dancing (1987), Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), and, as a voice actor, Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1991).[3] He also made frequent guest appearances on television, including a recurring role on Murder, She Wrote as private detective Harry McGraw between 1985 and 1991, and was the voice of Zachary Foxx in The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers in 1986. He gained worldwide fame for starring as NYPD Detective Lennie Briscoe on the original Law & Order series from 1992 to 2004.[5]
^Brantley, Ben; Severo, Richard (December 29, 2004). "Jerry Orbach, Star of 'Law & Order', Dies at 69". The New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
^Bernstein, Adam (December 30, 2004). "'Law & Order' Star Jerry Orbach Dies at 69". The Washington Post. Washington DC: Nash Holdings LLC. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
^ abGilvey, John Anthony (May 1, 2011). Jerry Orbach: Prince of the City - His Way From The Fantastiks to Law & Order. Milwaukee, Wisc.: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. ISBN 978-1-42348-845-3.
^Jones, Kenneth (December 29, 2004). "Tony-Winner Jerry Orbach Is Dead at 69". Playbill. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
^"'Law & Order' Star Jerry Orbach Dies". Today - Pop Culture newsletter. Associated Press. December 29, 2004. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
Playbill Vault JerryOrbach at the TCM Movie Database JerryOrbach at Rotten Tomatoes JerryOrbach at AllMovie JerryOrbach at Emmys.com JerryOrbach discography...
JerryOrbach was an American actor of the stage and screen. Orbach is most known for his long-running leading role as Det. Lenny Briscoe in Law & Order...
Cancilla Orbach, Actor JerryOrbach's Widow, Dies at 69". Playbill. Retrieved Jun 10, 2019. BWW News Desk. "Elaine Cancilla Orbach, Widow of JerryOrbach Passes...
JerryOrbach (1935–2004), American actor Maurice Orbach (1902–1979), British politician Nir Orbach (born 1970), Israeli politician Raymond L. Orbach (born...
space in which The Fantasticks was performed was named in honor of actor JerryOrbach, who starred as El Gallo in that show's original production in 1960....
Coffee is a 2000 American independent drama film, starring Al Pacino and JerryOrbach. It was directed by Pacino and written by Ira Lewis, adapted from his...
off-Broadway theatre in New York City's Greenwich Village, on May 3, 1960, with JerryOrbach as El Gallo, Rita Gardner as Luisa, Kenneth Nelson as Matt, and librettist...
Order. He was created by Walon Green and René Balcer and portrayed by JerryOrbach. He was featured on the show for 12 seasons, from 1992 to 2004, making...
Jennifer Grey as Frances "Baby" Houseman Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle JerryOrbach as Jake Houseman Cynthia Rhodes as Penny Johnson Jack Weston as Max Kellerman...
animated film Beauty and the Beast (1991). Recorded by American actor JerryOrbach and English actress Angela Lansbury as Lumière and Mrs. Potts, respectively...
Steven Seagal as Detective Gino Felino William Forsythe as Richie Madano JerryOrbach as Captain Ronnie Donziger Jo Champa as Vicky Felino Shareen Mitchell...
Landmarks Conservancy, along with fellow longtime series cast member JerryOrbach (who portrayed the popular police detective Lennie Briscoe for almost...
voice) John Rhys-Davies as Cassim Merwin Foard as Cassim (singing voice) JerryOrbach as Sa'Luk Linda Larkin as Princess Jasmine Liz Callaway as Princess Jasmine...
Allen, who stars alongside Martin Landau, Mia Farrow, Anjelica Huston, JerryOrbach, Alan Alda, Sam Waterston, and Joanna Gleason. The film was met with...
film stars Treat Williams as Ciello, with a supporting cast featuring JerryOrbach, Lindsay Crouse and Bob Balaban. Lumet had previously directed Serpico...
Domestic Disturbance and Forgiven, and starred opposite Al Pacino and JerryOrbach in Chinese Coffee. Along with mainstream films, she has also appeared...
with Benjamin Bratt, Steven Hill, Carey Lowell, S. Epatha Merkerson, JerryOrbach, and Sam Waterston) Law & Order Nominated 2000 Outstanding Performance...
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