December 30, 2004
Remembering Jerry Orbach
It's unfortunate that we have to read all these wonderful stories about Jerry Orbach in the many obituaries today, but Gothamist is heartened by the fact that many people, from fans to critics, as well as his peers, found him to be a great actor and a wonderful person. Gothamist thinks that was part of why we love Jerry so much, whether he was Detective Lennie Briscoe or Lumiere or Harry McGraw: He was wise and approachable. A few of the quotes we like:
- From the NY Times obituary, which has links to Al Hirschfeld drawings of Orbach from his Broadway days: Whether singing "Try to Remember" as the dashing narrator of "The Fantasticks" in 1960 or trading barbs with fellow detectives and reluctant witnesses on television in recent years, Mr. Orbach exuded a wry, ragged masculinity that was all his own.
- From a Newsday article, "Orbach, a True New Yorker": "There's a feeling that I am a typical New Yorker -- and everyone else seems to agree," he told a Scottish paper in 2002. "I'm the guy on the street who everybody waves to."
- On being named a Living Landmark by the City of New York (from the Daily News obituary): "This means," he joked, "that they can't tear me down."
- - From Jeffrey Wells' Hollywood Elsewhere, where Wells says he must rent Crimes & Misdemeanors to see Orbach play a criminal: "I love it when [Orbach] says to [Martin] Landau in that Crimes scene in the Jonah's guest house, 'I can't afford to be....aloof.'"
And a little story from Gothamist: When we visited the Law & Order set earlier this year, we were absolutely giddy when we saw Jerry glide onto set with Jesse L. Martin and S. Epatha Merkerson. As they were getting settled, they were all singing and seemed to be in high spirits, and we could tell the cast and crew loved working together. So, in our hearts, Jerry is singing, flashing those gleaming white teeth, while wearing a trench coat and wondering what the next case will bring.
Our post from yesterday, where readers joined in to share their Jerry memories. And the "Lennie Grabs A Dog" painting is by Brandon Hunt, part of the Law & Order: Artistic Intent art show put together by Brandon Bird.
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Three quick things. The illustration above of Orbach with hot dog is excellent. Second, those Hircshfeld illustrations in the NYTimes article are beautiful. Third, I remember Jerry Orbach on Siteway with my own attempt.
I don't know why news of this bummed me out any more than most celeb deaths, but it did. And I immediately thought I should check out what Gothamist had to say on the subject, as I knew you were a fan.
I ran into Orbach on the street in my neighborhood a year or so ago between his shooting scenes of Law & Order. I gave him a quick salute and he did a bit of a double take and gave me a warm smile. Not much of a brush with greatness, but true to his man of the people character. He will be missed.
I woke up that sad morning, not realizing that it was a sad morning until my husband told me immediately that Jerry Orbach had died. I was shocked and even stunned as we all know he was working on a new show. (which I am looking forward to seeing new things from him until those scenes are past).
I never met the man, not did I even brush closely, unless you want to count watching endless hours of Law & Order day in and day out as my brush with greatness (I know you can't).
The silly thing is that even though I don't know him, I feel as though he could be my grandfather.
Love to his family and peace to them as well.
Here's a clip from Mr. Orbach's Memorial service:
Broadway legend Chita Rivera remembered Orbach from the 1975 production of Chicago, in which he originated the role of "Razzle Dazzle" shyster lawyer Billy Flynn. "This huge silhouette would appear in a fedora, smoking a cigar," she said. "There was our anchor. There was our rock in a pinstriped suit." Perfect. Gosh. Why should I miss an actor whom I never met personally so much???
what you say watch the show solve the murders ,,,I did !!!!! no where on the site or the show was there a address or phone # we love your show .... Do you need to false advertise? Just to get people to watch the show!
DETECTIVE LENNIE BRISCOE BADGE NYPD#3220