Jerry Orbach Dead at 69

[russian33]

1010 WINS has learned that "Law and Order" star Jerry Orbach has died of prostate cancer at the age of 69. His manager, Robert Malcolm confirmed Orbach's death this morning.

Tony Award winner Jerry Orbach (“Promises, Promises”) earned a reputation as the quintessential New Yorker through his work in such films as “Prince of the City” and “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” as well as for his roles in Broadway’s “42nd Street” and on NBC’s “Law & Order.” Orbach has been honored with the Crystal Apple Award from the New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Television and Broadcasting for his contribution to the arts, and was presented with a lifetime achievement award from the Friar’s Club of New York.

http://1010wins.com/topstories/local_story_364094126.html

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

1. Nooooooo......

We'll miss you Jerry...

:(

[Archae]

2. Oh shit!

We'll miss you, Brisco.

[Liberal In Texas]

3. What a shame.

He was a good.

[Spazito]

4. Very sad news

I always enjoyed anything Jerry Orbach was in.

[AFSCME girl]

5. Ooooh, what a bummer!

:cry: Law & Order is one of my favs....

[xultar]

6. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:I LOVE HIM!!!! :cry:

[wicket]

7. Oh no!!!

Great actor, great person, he will be missed :(

[bleedingheart]

8. how sad

I really liked him on Law and Order and was suprised to find out he was a Broadway singer as well...such talent.

[russian33]

12. If I'm not mistaken, he originated the role of the lawyer in Chicago

The one Richard Gere did in the movie.

[bleedingheart]

16. I just read the article above and it is funny how to my mom's

generation he was famous for his singing/acting but to my generation he is famous for Law and Order...and my kids know him from Beauty and the Beast ..

[bunkerbuster1]

63. Saw him on B'way-- "42nd Street"

a magnificent performer on stage, and I loved him in Law and Order (and, hell, I'll admit it--in his recurring guest appearances on Murder, She Wrote.)

Rest in peace, bro.

[zann725]

79. Saw him on Broadway in "Promises, Promises..." back in 1970!

My first Broadway play! Shall always remember!

[TheDebbieDee]

9. Didn't he just get his own spin-off show?

I'll always remember him as "Baby's daddy" from Dirty Dancin'

[Not_Giving_Up]

33. He was supposed to have a L&O spin off

They were taping around his cancer treatments. No idea how many, if any, they completed taping.

[JohnLocke]

46. They completed taping several of the early episodes

He'll appear in the early ones.

[rkc3]

10. He was the voice of Lumiere on Disney's Beauty and the Beast too.

I can't believe he's passed away.

[histohoney]

11. What a loss

I was lucky enough to see him in 42Street on Broadway and loved following his work .
Good rest and God bless.

[Skarbrowe]

17. So SAD! And I believed them when they said he would be fine and

going to the new L&O. This is truly a shock. Great guy. He will be missed.

[pdxmom]

13. My heart is sad

He was a joy to watch.

[DeepModem Mom]

20. Such sad news, pdxmom --

Thanks for posting, and welcome to DU.

[pdxmom]

32. Thanks for the welcome

Nice to have a group around that I can relate to.

[classof56]

35. Welcome aboard, fellow Oregonian!

Jerry is also one of my favorites. I loved his "wisecracks" on L&O. A terrific guy and great actor! I'd looked forward to his spinoff. So sad to lose him!

[pdxmom]

42. Thanks for the welcome

I had heard about his cancer, but didn't expect he would be gone so soon. I think he was really under-rated by many. He didn't have the prettiest mug out there, but his acting was just great. I was upset when he left L&O, and don't enjoy the show as much without him there. I, too, was looking forward to seeing him again on the new show.

[5thGenDemocrat]

53. Wisecracks

While tossing the suspect into the back seat of the cruiser:
Suspect: "What are the charges?"
Brisco: "No charges -- this one's on us."
Or, upon discovering a very dead body on the mansion floor with the back of the head split open:
"So THAT'S what you use a one-iron for."
--shoong shoong--
John
I'll miss him too. Orbach was the one constant in Law and Order (and S Epatha Merkerson, the police captain, is a Saginaw native. Polly went to Saginaw High with one of her cousins).

[Eurobabe]

14. Dang, we watch L&O all the time thanks to our DVR...

Bless you Jerry!

[fryguy]

15. sad sad day

wonder if nyc cops will wear black on their shields in honor of him? he was considered by many as an honorary member of the force

[oxymoron]

18. I'm so sorry to hear this

I had the good fortune to see him in the original production of "Chicago" with Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera. What a talent! He will be missed. :-(

[momisold]

19. OMG. :(

I had just recently read a story in the paper about the new L&O series he was filming that was to start in the spring or fall. I am so sad. And last Wednesday nite was the rerun of the L&O when he left the show. I wonder if they knew he was that ill.....

I believe he was also in the original "Fantastiks".

[warrior1]

21. fuck.

Nooooooo

Shit I really like that guy....damn damn damn...

[oxymoron]

28. Yes, he was in the Fantastiks

He introduced the song "Try to Remember" in that show.

[flygal]

48. Oh, just thinking about him singing that song brought goosebumps

:cry:

[Ilsa]

22. A great actor

Always seemed like a really down-to-earth fellow. He always did well on Jeopardy, too. Smart guy. I miss him already.

[auntAgonist]

23. May he rest in peace.

We loved him in Law and Order :(

[GAspnes]

24. *moan*

I saw him sing and dance on Broadway in "The Fantastiks" in the mid-60's. He had a terrific voice.

Bye Jerry. I'll miss you.

[Cooley Hurd]

25. Damn... what a great actor.

So sorry to hear he lost his battle with prostate cancer...:(

[skippythwndrdog]

26. Wow, what a loss to the acting community and to his fans.

[spooked]

27. Rest in Peace

[Jo March]

29. This is so sad. Mr. Arnheim and I were big fans of his

I loved him on Law and Order.

How very sad. He will be missed. :(

[Bertha Venation]

30. Damnit!!

:cry:

I LOVE Jerry Orbach!

:cry:

Rest in peace, Jerry. You were loved.

[JI7]

31. this fucking sucks

a total shock. he was a great actor and an even better man. i'm going to miss him.

[kysrsoze]

93. I'm really sad to see him go - great actor

I watched him non-stop on L&A. He was great in pretty much anything he worked. Wonderful guy. RIP.

[davidinalameda]

34. oh my gosh

I had no idea he was that sick

[TheCentepedeShoes]

36. Nooo...not Lenny!

This is just so sad. The L&O's have been my favorite shows. I liked the way Jerry and Jesse L. Martin worked together, with their respective senses of humor. This is just so sad. :cry:

[molly]

37. I watch him on Law & Order reruns at least twice a day

he is my favorite.

[prayin4rain]

38. Me too, I don't think Law & Order will ever be the same :(

[hippiechick]

39. Damn !

:( RIP, Jerry.


:hippie:

[high density]

40. Sad news!

He was a great actor and I was looking forward to watching him in the latest L&O spinoff.

[deutsey]

41. Damn...Jerry, I'm going to miss you

:evilfrown:

[JohnLocke]

43. Oh, no! He was my favorite actor

:(

[Tyler Durden]

44. "Lenny" is part of my answering machine:

My "pissed off" message has me saying in a snotty tone of voice:

"Leave a freakin' message aftert the tone or..."

Followed immediately by Lenny Brisco LOUDLY saying:

"WE'RE GONNA PUT YOU IN JAIL FOR LIFE!"

Via con dios, Jerry Orbach.

[flygal]

45. I miss him already

I missed him so much on this season of my favorite show. Rest in Peace Jerry - you really seemed like a nice guy.

[JohnLocke]

47. He was a good man and a great actor

He will be missed.

[Kadie]

49. Thanks for all the memories Jerry.

Rest in peace.

[libnnc]

50. "42nd Street" performance

I saw Orbach in 1983 when my Mom and I went to NYC for Christmas. He was awesome in "42nd Street"...great show, great performance, great guy. Thanks Mr. Orbach.

[Endangered Specie]

51. OH NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

:cry:

[kitkatrose]

52. NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

He was so good as Briscoe on Law and Order, one of the reasons I kept watching it.

I feel so bad for his family right now. :cry: :cry:

[truebrit71]

54. He was one of my daughter's favourite actors..

She was really mad when he left L&O last season...she'll be even more upset now...

God Bless.

[CBHagman]

55. Sorry to see him go.

I'd imagine a lot of people don't realize that he's also had a career in musicals. It's nice to see someone triumph in TV and film and on stage.

Rest in peace.

[skepticalndnc]

56. So sad!

:toast: L$O will never be the same!

[Longhorn]

57. I'll miss him so much!

I was sad that he left L&O but really looking forward to seeing him on the new show. I guess we'll get to see him a couple of times but it won't be enough! He is one who cannot be replaced! :cry:

[apple_ridge]

58. I just discovered L&O a few months ago.

I'm not much of a TV watcher, but I became immediately addicted to that show because of Jerry.

Damn.

[Vidar]

59. Very sad. Gifted actor & nice guy.

[TexasChick]

60. Damn it!!! I loved Jerry Orbach! He was the comic relief of Law & Order

before the new season. Damn! I'll miss you, my friend!!!

[alexisfree]

61. no f* way no no no noooooooooooooooooooo

I just reading the news and it is so f*ing sad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:cry: :cry: :cry:

[ally_sc]

62. sad, sad..

i just got hooked on law and order about three years ago...i watch them all. i had no idea he was even sick...Lenny Briscoe a character that will always be remembered. damn cancer...

[Lydia Leftcoast]

64. Oh, no!

:cry:

[Rob H.]

65. Damn.

Lenny Briscoe was my favorite character on "L&O"--I haven't watched it at all this season, mainly because he's not on there anymore. Orbach's Lenny always reminded me of Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe, with that sort of world-weariness coupled with a sarcastic sense of humor.

I remember seeing his "Biography" on A&E a while back, and even his ex-wife had great things to say about him. He must've been one helluva guy.

Rest in peace, Jerry. You will most definitely be missed. :cry:

[Bat Boy]

66. Baby will never be put in a corner again...

Thanks for the fun, Jerry.

[Darth_Kitten]

67. RIP Jerry......

:(

[sehlatik]

68. Jerry Orbach dead at 69

Man, this truly sucks. I loved him on "Law and Order" and also in "Dirty Dancing". He was also very good in "Beauty and the Beast". It's gonna be difficult to watch the old "Law and Order" reruns he's on. This is truly a sad day, mainly because he bears a striking resemblance to my late Uncle Archie and Cousin Roger. He will definitely be missed.

[silverpatronus]

69. man i'm gonna miss that guy...

he's been a staple on L&O as far back as i've been watching the show. it's not the same without him. and i was so looking forward to trial by jury. the NYC police will do something to honour him, he was practically a member of the force.

RIP jerry. i'm gonna miss you like hell.

[OneTwentyoNine]

70. Absolutely one of the best actors ever.....nt

[Cheswick2.0]

71. Try to remember

"Try To Remember"

Try to remember the kind of September
when life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
when grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
when you were a tender and callow fellow,
Try to remember and if you remember the follow.

Try to remember when life was so tender
that no one wept except the willow.
Try to remember when life was so tender that
dreams were kept beside your pillow.
Try to remember when life was so tender that
love was an ember about to billow.
Try to remember and if you remember then follow.

Deep in December it's nice to remember
altho you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December it's nice to remember
without the hurt the heart is hollow.
Deep in December it's nice to remember
the fire of September that made us mellow.
Deep in December our hearts should remember and follow.

[Carolina]

73. yes, deep in this December

our hearts will surely remember Jerry.

This Law & Order fan loved Jerry, aka Lenny Briscoe, best out of all the folks who have come and gone from that ensemble cast.

May he rest in peace. And thanks, Cheswick2.0 for the early, Fantasticks picture and a great tribute.

[Divernan]

76. Thanks for this GREAT photo - a handsome young guy!

and for the lyrics. I heard Harry Belafonte sing this song in a live performance at the Greek Ampitheatre in LA - it was hauntingly beautiful to me as a young woman and even more so now as I enter my "senior citizen" stage.

[oasis]

90. thanks.

[The Stranger]

72. Don't know about playacting, but watching Law & Order was worse than

scratching fingernails on a chalk board, hideously two-dimensional and pathetic -- "good guys" police beat up "bad guys" evil, who always admit the evilness of their ways, which is apparently all that they are.

[silverpatronus]

84. were we watching the same show?

part of the reason i've always loved L&O was because the 'good guys' did bad things (especially mccoy...he hits the border of legal ethics over and over) and you felt truly sorry for some of the 'bad guys'.

[alexisfree]

74. with out him..the show is over...

[Stephanie]

75. I met him at the dentist's office about two years ago

He was escorting his mother. He was as sweet as could be. And a great actor. He is just amazing in Crimes and Misdemeanors. He will be missed!

[stanwyck]

77. I saw him on a celebrity "Jeopardy"

a few years ago and he waxed everyone else.

[timtom]

78. I was lucky enough to see him in 1961

in "The Fantasticks". It helped shape the feeling of the 60's for me. El Gallo will be missed greatly.

[dflprincess]

80. Damn it was bad enough when he left Law and Order

but at least I thought I'd be seeing him in the new spin off. I loved his Lenny Briscoe character. I didn't realize how big he was on Broadway until now (I suppose living in fly over country will leave one ignorant about some things). There's an old L&O episode from the first year or two before he was on a show where he plays a defense attorney. I always have a mental disconnect when I see that one.

I'm watching a L&O rerun on TNT right now - they have put up his picture during breaks with a "We'll miss you" message. I wonder if they'll do anything tonight when one of the new episodes run.

[bajamary]

81. He will be missed by so many

He was a terrific actor, a master at a craft that has, at any given time, only a hand full of master actors. He was at the top of his craft.

I'll miss him greatly. May he rest in peace.

Mary

[Mr_Spock]

82. Jing - Jing

[Princess Turandot]

83. I'm glad that he had an episode in which he retired from the job..

as opposed to him dying and them needing to make reference to why he disappeared. Oddly that episode was just repeated, I think last week.

They are apparently working on a L&O number 4, focused more on the DA's office. He was supposed to be in the detective squad that works for the DA. (NYC's DA's office has a small investigative group of its own in real life.)

He was a great actor and also a great animal lover and supporter of a local NY animal rescue/charity called Bide-a-wee.

Rest in Peace, 'Lenny'.
We'll be watching you in reruns for years to come.

[mediaman007]

85. I have to add my note to this list...

Man I enjoyed his work. His work on "Law and Order" was really the first time I paid attention to him. Then I discovered that he was the father in "Dirty Dancing." Anyway, I became a regular viewer of "Law and Order" and I think he was the glue that made me come back time after time. Those episodes where he was the father to the druggie daughter were intense. Then the episode where she was found dead. I don't think that television has regular drama that comes anywhere near Jerry's work in those shows.

I'm glad that these shows repeat. He was really a craftsman.

[Hailtothechimp]

86. R.I.P. Lennie Briscoe n/t

[zulchzulu]

87. I've never watched a Law and Order show in my life

I hate cop shows...and I hate TV, so... but hey, all hats off to Jerry.

[footinmouth]

88. He will be missed.

I always enjoyed watching him on Law and Order. Such a shame.

[EST]

89. In this time of more and more horror and bad news,

This hits me particularly hard. 'Course it probably wasn't his idea, either. More sad news in a sad season...

[njdemocrat106]

91. Sad news

Jerry Orbach was a very talented man. I'll definitely miss him.
God rest his soul.

Hopefully, more Law & Order seasons will be coming out soon on DVD. A great way to remember him by, even though there was so much more to his legacy than L&O.

[burrowowl]

92. DAMN!

He was my favorite!

RIP Jerry!

[ecarmody]

94. bush supporter!

I heard somewhere that he was a big bush supporter and he supported the war in Iraq! Can someone please verify.

[JI7]

95. nope, he supported Kerry

[NightOwwl]

96. ecarmody...take your question elsewhere. No one gives a shit.

(And besides, it's a fucking lie anyway.)

I'll miss you Jerry. I loved you in "Law and Order" and I will always remember you as the perfect Dad in "Dirty Dancing."

[Tikki]

97. Sad in our home...

Especially sad news of Jerry Orbach's death for our adult son. This year has been quite the emotional ride for our son. The one constant was all the family, together, watching L & O almost every night of the week.

He asked me if it would be appropriate, four or five years down the road, when he gets a pet (most likely a dog) for his son...could he name the dog 'Lenny Brisco'. I told him I believed it would be fine....just make sure you find a dog with soulful eyes.

[ucmike]

98. he shouldn't have put baby in the corner.