December 29, 2004
Farewell: Jerry Orbach Has Died
Gothamist is utterly sad to report that Jerry Orbach, the versatile actor of stage, screen, and tube who epitomized the seen-it-all cynical NYPD detective on Law & Order for twelve years, is dead at age 69. Earlier this month, Orbach's manager had confirmed to the Daily News that Orbach had been suffering from prostate cancer but was recovering, but now it seems that he succumbed. Radio station 1010 WINS was first to report Orbach's death, and they have a nice obituary that runs down from his birth in the Bronx (born Jerome Orbach) to childhood and teen years in Illinois, from moving back to New York for an acting break to his successes. Updated: The AP's early obituary for Orbach has some great quotes, like how 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. I guess THAT'S where I stop and he starts."
Jerry Orbach was Gothamist's favorite actor. We missed him even before he left Law & Order earlier this year, because there was something comforting about knowing that Detective Lennie Briscoe was on the case. Sure, Orbach may be considered "just an actor" by some, but he provided countless moments of pleasure to us. Here are some of our posts about Jerry:
- Visiting the Law & Order set
- Seeing Jerry Orbach film one of his last scenes and our thoughts on the episode (1, 2)
- At a Times Talk with Orbach, Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly
- Reaction to Orbach leaving L&O and Lennie Briscoe being on the fourth L&O spin-off
- Wondering which was the best L&O cast - for our money, Orbach must be in it
- Jerry liked Carnegie Deli and Judson Grill
- On Late Night with Conan O'Brien, who showed him the Law & Order Coloring Book
- Law & Order art (1, 2)
- And the impossible task of giving up Law & Order for Lent
Plus IMDB's filmography for Orbach and Brandon Bird has been selling his Lennie Briscoe t-shirts to donate proceeds to the American Cancer Society. And thanks to all our readesr who emailed us to share their condolences - Gothamist is proud to be one of Jerry's biggest fans.
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We'll miss you, Jerry. He *was* Law and Order and it won't be the same.
Can this week POSSIBLY suck any more?
Every New Yorker will miss Lennie terribly.
After my initial thoughts of "Oh no!" and "How sad," I immediately wondered how Law & Orders #1 fans (aka Gothamist) would take the news. This is a sad day for New Yorkers, both on TV and terra firma.
I emailed as soon as I saw the news, but it was already posted - I figured this would be the first place to cover it.
How terribly sad. 2004 has been a terrible year for the acting community.
There will always be the reruns...
The fact that Gothamist loved and appreciated Jerry O. says a lot about Gothamist's good taste
and common sense. Thanks for paying him tribute. Don't know if you saw the PBS Broadway special but there was great footage of Jerry O. on stage.
I loved him on Jackass.
:( indeed.
Worst week ever.
Losing Jerry is like losing a family member... Not a day goes by when Lennie is not in my living room on an L&O episode. He will be missed.
I'm terribly sad to hear about Jerry Orbach's passing. His character was the bedrock of L&O for a long time. Missing his opening wisecrack was just about as bad as missing the whole show for me.
I find it interesting that none of the sites with stories about his passing mention the fact that he provided the voice of Lumiere in Disney's Beauty and the Beast and all of its spinoffs. When I first learned that Orbach was Lumiere just a year or two ago I was shocked. He really showed some range there.
Rest in peace, Jerry. You are greatly missed already.
The Stage and Hollywood just lost one of their finest actors.
I always appreciated Gothamist's obssession with Jerry Orbach, and I feel terrible about his death. Oh gosh. :-(
RIP Friend. You'll be surely missed.
RIP Jerry Orbach
Thought of Gothamist the second I heard the announcement on NPR at work. Very sad to hear. A gentleman of stature has left the stage.
So sad. With wisetalking roles in "42nd Street" and on "Law & Order," Jerry was the embodiment of New York itself, an ambassador for the city who fulfilled his duties just by being a working actor. My heart goes out to his family.
I was so sad to think of Jerry's passing today. It brought a tear to my eye. The new year won't be as bright.
I am so upset to hear that Jerry Orbach passed away. I just heard the news on the radio.
It is just so shocking that he is gone. I know he'll live on in the many Law & Order reruns that get shown several times a week... and in our own hearts, too.
I really didn't expect this -- especially after I heard he was being treated and would be able to continue on his shooting schedule.
Thanks for all the subtle (and not so subtle) sarcastic lines that balanced Law & Order for over a decade, Jerry.
oh, wow. I'm shocked to read this. It's like a grandfather passing away. Thank you Jerry for your many years of fine entertainment.
This is literally the first time I have actually felt true sadness at the passing of a celebrity. Other times I think to myself "That is awful" and then move on. But this time it actually hit me.
Hey I am in Chicago, and I, and I think Chicagoans in general, were big fans of Jerry Orbach. He was an actor that had appeal for everyone, no matter there race or class, I think. See ya on TNT and Murder She Wrote (he was a guest PI on the show upon ocassion) Jerry Orbach!
You were always my favorite.
"This is literally the first time I have actually felt true sadness at the passing of a celebrity."
phil hartman and chris farley's deaths made me more sad. jerry orbach was awesome too though.
"Even though, we know somehow we all gotta go
but as long as we leavin thievin we'll be leavin with some kind of dough so,
and to that day we expire and turn to vapors
me and my capers-ll be somewhere stackin plenty papers
Keepin it real, packin steel, gettin high
Cause life's a bitch and then you die"
he was one of the good ones. insh'allah he's in a better place . . .
A great tribute to a wonderful actor.
Absolutely crushing news.
I gasped out an "Oh, no!" upon logging in at work this morning, and my assistant came running in to ask if I had just heard. Apparently everyone else in the office had done the same thing this morning.
The Fox News website is quoting Mr. Orbach's agent as saying he was actually fighting prostate cancer for ten years. Incredible.
This consumate, talented, professional will definitely be missed.
I was already sad that he'd left the regular show, but was getting used to the idea of his new gig. I am so sad. Viva la Jerry! I thought of Gothamist the moment I heard and am glad to see others pay such nice tribute to this exceptionally talented man. He will be missed.
I LOVED Lennie er Det. Briscoe. I saw him in an airport magazine stand once. He was walking toward me, and since I remeber him as a cop I got stuck and froze {qickly did i steal? did it look like i was stealing? put down whats in your hand}. it wasnt until after he pulled out his wallet to pay for the magazine he picked up that I flashed back to reality and realized he was my det. from L&O.. YOU will missed even more now. Good bye Jerry.
"Try to remember" ... one of my all-time favorite songs, as sung by Jerry Orbach in the original cast of The Fantastiks!
"And if you remember, then follow ..."
Now you will not swell the rout
of lads who wore their honors out
Runners whom reknown outran
And the name died before the man
Seems appropriate.
Peace out
The world is a much lesser place without Jerry here. He was a fantastic player both on stage and on L & O. I know I'll be marathoning L & O all weekend in his honor.
Long time reader, first time poster.
Thank you Gothamist for the the touching tribute to one of my favorite actors. Thanks for everything, Jerry.
The city is a little poorer today as a result.
Jerry Orbach, Susan Sontag, and the Tsunami. I wish this week would just friggin' end...
Remember this, pre-L&O?
Lisa: Oh my God. Look at that! Ma, I should have brought my coral shoes. You said I was taking to much!
Marjorie Houseman: Well sweetheart, you brought ten pairs.
Lisa: But the coral shoes match that dress!
Jake Houseman: This is not a tragedy. A tragedy is three men trapped in a mine or police dogs used in Birmingham.
Baby: Monks burning themselves in protest.
Lisa: Butt out Baby.
He was a great entertainer, and all around nice guy. Jerry, you will be sorely missed.
It's only fitting that the lights on 42nd will be dimmed tonight.
I like the photo you chose for him, kinda like leaving nyc for the pearly gates. I think its beautiful.
Nicely done, Jen. Just heard Broadway is dimming the lights tonight. How utterly appropriate ...
I know it will be difficult for some people to understand the reaction to this given the overwhelming disaster in SE Asia but one does not cancel out the other.
I started liking the guy when I saw his face peeled off in F/X way back when. He has BEEN L&O in a way that no other character (even McCoy) has. He has given us all much more than we've ever given him. As tribute, let's each make an effort to see something Jerry has done that we've missed and put some effort toward ending the disease that ended his time on the stage.
Fitting and fine post. Mr. Orbach made the world a warm place. My wife once saw him in an elevator on the Upper West Side and he smiled at her, kindly and knowingly, though she knew not who he was until after he left the building.
RIP
I first seen Jerry Orbach In Dirty Dancing and For many years after on Law & Order
I know he will be sadley missed by us all
I am such a HUGE fan I feel as IF I know him personally
I send my Deepest condolences to all his family to have suffered such A loss
You are in my thoughts and Prayers
I'm so sad to know about Jerry Orbach dead, yesterday I was crying when I read the bad news. I'm from Mexico and I saw him daily in Universal Channel. I'm going to miss him a lot.
Dear Jen,
I share your sense of loss, even though the earthly
incarnation of Det. Lenny Briscoe never was my
*premier* idol on L&A or elsewhere (he was pretty
good as father-grievien-over-loss-of-virginity-of-
youngest-daughter in "Dirty Dancing", I admit that
much). On the bright side, The Hallmark Channel
in Europe is rerunning the entire original L&A series
starting 6 of Jan, 2005 at 8:30 PM CET, so --dead
or alive-- Lenny B. aka Jerry O. lives again!
I was picking up lunch when I heard. Somehow I had missed all the news segments. I literally did a double take. I can't believe how sad I am about it.
may god be with you and your family. WHEN I HEARD OF THIS DEATH I FELT AS THROUGH I LOST MY FATHER. I LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!!!! MAY YOU R.I.P...... LOVE THE KURDZIEL FAMILY
Mr. Orbach: May GOD bless your every footstep as you take your final journey. Its like Ive known you all my life. Well in a way I have. You came into my house. I enjoyed your visits for lunchtime & dinner. You have entertained me from stage to screen. May GOD bless your family with strength during this tragic loss. Farewell dear sir, another case has been solved by Det. Briscoe, well done. cew
WOW,,, Im sorry to hear of your loss of this great and talented man. Ive read all the comments here and yes we will miss Jerry, but not as much as y'all will. He was a great entertainer and can not be replaced. God grant this family strength and comfort and God bless Jerry to enter Heaven. Det. Briscoe has solved his last case. My love to all the Orbach family.
ccd
Thanks for your posts about Jerry and L&O. Wonderful tributes.
for some reason, the website isn't processing all time times I pushed enter to add new lines in the following comment. Sorry it's so jumbled like so.
what I'm listening to right now and is bringing tears to my eyes:
"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,
then 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
although you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December it’s nice to remember
without a 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,
then follow..."
to the person who mentioned losing him is like losing your grandfather: my own grandfather, the grandparent who I hold most dear to my heart, passed away a bit over a week ago. And although nothing will ever compare to missing him, Jerry Orbach's death comes close and touches the same part of me causing the same pain.
My guess is I'm not the only New Yorker in a household where sitting down in front of the tv before 11pm on any night means only one thing: Law & Order re-runs. And at 11pm, it starts competing with the nightly news, but L&O always wins out. I'm probably also one of many NY-er's who watches an episode for ten minutes and then starts channel surfing thinking "hey, I've seen this one before, haven't I?"
It's true is voice has an aura of wisdom in it. Maybe that's just because I'm listening to this song, but I have a sense it's much more than that.
Being an Upper West Sider, although only having watched L&O for maybe six years now, I have seen Briscoe & Green a handful of times. Most recently last year crossing the island on Broadway at 82nd street leaving the Starbucks they were going to on a quick break from filming. Like all others, the show is so a part of New York life, as are they, that I actually thought Jesse Martin and Jerry Orbach were simply people that lived on my street or took the same bus as I did every morning or something like that as why there were so familiar. Then I realized a second later, that I had just crossed paths with two near-gods and didn't even realize. I met Jesse Martin a few years ago through a family friend, he is also a great New Yorker, but he spent most of the brief conversation we had talking about Jerry Orbach and how wonderful he is.
Great man. RIP Jerry Orbach, New York misses you.
Thanks for this opportunity to say that even though a complete stranger to me, Jerry Orbach has my undying friendship and deepest sympathy. Love from Texas, Jerry.
I am so sad that we have lost such a hero. I love Jerry and mourned his dparture as Det. Briscoe. He is my all time favorite celebrity. Jerry Orbach is a family favorite. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and I thank them for sharing this great man with us.
Jerry and I were in the same English 101 class at Illinois. He's firmly banked in my memory after 52 years. A great guy. He always wore blue jeans to classes.
In addition his performance on L&O, his contributions to the stage live forever in the hearts and minds of those lucky enough to have witnessed his energy live. My love and prayers to his family! He will be greatly missed!
you will be missed. i watch Law and Order every night, and i have seasons 4-8 on videotape :(
Jerry will be sadly missed - Law and Order will never be the same...
I am a true Law & Order junkie, and I'm not ashamed to say it. I miss Jerry Orbach terribly! His role as Det. Briscoe is unmatched. How I would have loved being a New Yorker with the possibility of seeing L&O filmed. I'm thankful for these photos. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to see Jerry Orbach in his various roles, to know what a wonderful actor he was. A very talented man! I miss you, Jerry!
Jerry Orbach has only recently become my favorite actor of all time. I know it is 2 years after his death but I feel I owe it to him to say thank you for being such a wonderful role model for me as a teen. His wisecracks on L&O are some of the highlights of my day and I sometimes use them to make people stop teasing me. His voice as Lumiere helped inspire to want to become a voice actor. Mr. Orbach you are a hero. Thank you so very much.
May I add a late tribute as I did not know of the death of Jerry Orbach until recently. No mention was made in the UK press at the time but approx. 6 months ago, when Trial by Jury was about to air, mention was made that a leading actor had died. Now that I know it is Jerry Orbach I am devastated. What makes it worse is that he has been gone all this time and had even left Law & Order before I had started to take a real interest in the show. I understand L&O continues (we are many series behind in the UK) but Lennie Briscoe WAS the first half. I understand that the show continues but I can't imagine how it will be without him. Jerry Orbach was a consummate actor, using body and facial movements to project his character even when he was not centre stage. Having read the accolades printed above I now know not only how popular he was but what a very nice human being he was too. My heart goes out to his widow and his sons. I can only hope that time has brought them some peace and acceptance. I have just started grieving!
Rest in peace Jerry Orbach.