Actor Jerry Orback dead

red007 · Dec 29, 2004

too bad. he was my favorite on law and order.

NEW YORK - Actor Jerry Orbach, who played a sardonic, seen-it-all cop on TV's "Law & Order" and scored on Broadway as a song-and-dance man, has died of prostate cancer at 69, a representative of the show said Wednesday.

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</TD><TD width="99%">Slideshow: Actor Jerry Orbach Dies at 69</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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Orbach died Tuesday night in Manhattan after several weeks of treatment, Audrey Davis of the public relations agency Lippin Group said.

When his illness was diagnosed, he had begun production on NBC's upcoming spinoff "Law & Order: Trial By Jury," after 12 seasons playing Detective Lennie Briscoe in the original series. His return to the new show had been expected early next year.

On Broadway, the Bronx-born Orbach starred in hit musicals including "Carnival," "Promises, Promises" (for which he won a Tony Award), "Chicago" and "42nd Street."

Earlier, he was in the original cast of the off-off-Broadway hit "The Fantasticks," playing the narrator. The show went on to run for more than 40 years.

In a 2000 Associated Press interview, Orbach said the role in the acclaimed "Law & Order" brought him "wonderful security" rare in the life of an actor.

"All my life, since I was 16, I've been wondering where that next job was gonna come from," he explained. "Now I take the summer off, relax, and I know that at the end of July we're gonna start another season."

He said he didn't know "where I stop and Lennie starts, really. ... I know he's tougher than me and he carries a gun. And I'm not an alcoholic."

"I know I wouldn't want to be him," Orbach sums up. "I guess THAT'S where I stop and he starts."

Among his film appearances were roles in "Dirty Dancing," "Prince of the City" and "Crimes and Misdemeanors."

TheGeneral+ · Dec 29, 2004

TNT Legend with Law and Order.

RIP Jerry

sherman · Dec 29, 2004

Saw him several times at Foxwoods........

HacheMan · Dec 29, 2004

If you hadn't of posted a pic I would not of had a cule who he is. Never watched Law & Order, but God bless his family and friends for their loss.......

BaseballGuy · Dec 29, 2004

RIP. Great actor

Although........
These threads really need to stop.

First of all they are down right depressing. Second if I want the news I can turn on CNN.

krackman · Dec 29, 2004

Dammit! Horrible news. This guy was one of the "good guys" in life. I played pool with him a few times in the city and recently sat at his table at a charity event in Staten Island. He never flaunted his wealth and loved his home city of New York.

mj23 · Dec 29, 2004

I was with him at a party over the summer he was a great guy he will be missed.

krackman · Dec 29, 2004

Sorry but this has been bothering me since I heard

With his hang-dog face and loose-limbed gait, Orbach was adept at playing the street-smart tough guy, but could also dance and carry a tune. And not only was he a beloved star, he also personified New York's well-worn but implacable edge. A lifelong New Yorker, he inhabited and embodied the city like few other actors.

Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani called Orbach ''a friend to all New Yorkers'' and ''a devoted ambassador of the city.''

sportsbettingtrivia · Dec 29, 2004

Jerry..total NY guy..loved the action..He embodied the NY Lifestyle..Didnt get off on his celebrity and had many friends in NY industry who will surely miss him..

I have jerry story I would like to share..

Next to the old STUDIO 54 there was a building that stood for many years called..THE NEW YORK BOAT CLUB..The building had a bball court, a squash court, old pool and antiquated steam room..

maybe the club had 15 members..It was a private playground for these 15 gents..They would meet everyday, over bagels, and tell war stories and play cards..Jerry was a charter member..

I would go there with a buddy and jerry would be there..Dancing..Singing..and just being the character that he was..The few times I was there the guy was always warm to me..He will be missed..

curt · Dec 30, 2004

He was a great guy and will be missed. I had met him a a few times as my sister's husband is his nephew. In fact,I was at my sister's house a few weeks ago and she said that he would be at her house on Christmas Eve. Well,things turned for the worse as his cancer spread. I knew about 5 days ago that he was on his way out. He was the nicest guy in the world when I met him in person. Very sad to hear about him passing away.