amnesic
Silver Shield Investigator
Posts: 66
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Post by amnesic on Dec 29, 2004 11:16:05 GMT -5
Not sure were to put this thread
Law and Order star dies of cancer Jerry Orbach, star of the US TV series Law & Order, shown on Five in Britain, has died of prostate cancer aged 69.
He died in New York after several weeks of treatment, said his publicist, Audrey Davis.
When his illness was diagnosed, he had begun production of a spin-off series - Law & Order: Trial By Jury - after 12 seasons playing Detective Lennie Briscoe in the original series.
On Broadway, the Bronx-born Orbach starred in hit musicals including Chicago and 42nd Street.
Among his film appearances were roles in Dirty Dancing, Prince of the City and Crimes and Misdemeanours.
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Post by Sirenna on Dec 29, 2004 11:58:21 GMT -5
This sucks. If it wasn't for his character in the Original L&O I don't think there would have been room to develop a Goren character by contrast.
Jerry Orbach dead at 69 Actor best known for 'Law & Order'
Wednesday, December 29, 2004 Posted: 1650 GMT (0050 HKT) Orbach Jerry Orbach died Tuesday of prostate cancer.
(CNN) -- Actor Jerry Orbach, best known for his long-running role as New York police detective Lennie Briscoe on "Law & Order," has died. He was 69.
Orbach died of prostate cancer Tuesday night, a spokesman for the program confirmed Wednesday.
The actor had been undergoing treatment for his illness for several weeks, Audrey Davis of the public relations agency Lippin Group told The Associated Press.
He had recently been in production for a "Law & Order" spinoff featuring Briscoe, "Law & Order: Trial by Jury," scheduled to premiere in early 2005.
"I'm immensely saddened by the passing of not only a friend and colleague, but a legendary figure of 20th-century show business," said Dick Wolf, creator and executive producer of the "Law & Order" series, in a statement. "He was one of the most honored performers of his generation. His loss is irreplaceable."
Orbach joined "Law & Order" in the show's third season and quickly made Briscoe a popular character, known for his deadpan wisecracks and rough vulnerability.
Audiences also learned of the character's divorces, his difficult relationship with his daughters (one was later killed for testifying against a drug-dealing boyfriend) and his battle with alcoholism -- though, in true "Law & Order" fashion, these tidbits were revealed casually over the course of many years.
Orbach was also one of many "L&O" actors who had appeared as a different character at another time in the show's run -- in Orbach's case, as a defense attorney during the show's second season.
"Law & Order" and its spinoffs are all filmed in New York, and Orbach was so identified with the city that he was declared a "living landmark" by the New York Landmark Conservancy in 2002.
Orbach had been a notable New York actor for more than three decades when he joined "Law & Order." He was a star of the city's theatrical world, having originated the roles of El Gallo in the off-Broadway "Fantasticks," Billy Flynn in the original mid-'70s Broadway run of "Chicago" and Julian Marsh in the revival of "42nd Street."
He won a Tony for his performance in 1968's "Promises, Promises," a Burt Bacharach/Hal David musical version of the 1960 movie "The Apartment."
As a movie actor, Orbach shined in supporting roles, including performances in 1981's "Prince of the City," 1986's "F/X," Woody Allen's 1989 film "Crimes and Misdemeanors" and 1992's "Mr. Saturday Night." He was the voice of Lumiere in "Beauty and the Beast" (1991) and the father of Jennifer Grey's Baby in "Dirty Dancing" (1987). L&O Orbach with the "Law & Order" cast. From left, Fred Thompson, Orbach, Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson and Jesse L. Martin.
Jerome Bernard Orbach was born in Bronx, New York, on October 20, 1935, the son of a vaudeville actor and a radio singer. The family moved around during his childhood, finally settling near Chicago.
He attended the University of Illinois and Northwestern University and then returned to New York to begin his acting career.
He earned his broadest fame relatively late in life, but couldn't have asked for more, he said.
"I used to say when I was working in the theater that if I ever had five seasons of a hit TV show I'd never have to worry about money and wouldn't have to do anything I didn't want to do," he once said, according to the Internet Movie Database. "The 12 seasons of 'Law & Order' really made that possible."
New Yorkers, particularly cops, loved him.
"The police? Oh, my God. It's a straight-up love affair with the man," co-star Jesse L. Martin told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Orbach told the AP 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 summed up. "I guess that's where I stop and he starts."
Orbach was married twice. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and his children, Tony and Chris.
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Post by NikkiGreen on Dec 29, 2004 14:20:02 GMT -5
Rest in peace, Mr. Orbach.
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Post by janetcatbird on Dec 29, 2004 15:16:08 GMT -5
Yes, I mentioned the news on the Mothership thread, but I didn't copy any articles. I don't know if it'll happen tonight, but at some point the L&O tapes and "Beauty and the Beast" will be coming out for an admittedly sappy yet heartfelt tribute. I certainly wish the best for his family.
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Post by Patcat on Dec 29, 2004 23:23:38 GMT -5
I was surprised when Mr. Orbach left L&O that I felt so much sadness, and I'm a bit surprised at how sad I felt when I learned of his death. He nailed the part of Lenny Briscoe, but I can't recall him ever giving a bad performance. And he was that rare thing--a true musical theater star who could act and sing. He had a glorious voice.
I'm glad that he was interviewed for several documentaries recently. Mr. Orbach was an excellent source of information on theater history, because he was seemingly everywhere, saw everything, was remarkably egoless, and intelligent.
Patcat
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Post by trisha on Dec 30, 2004 22:54:35 GMT -5
I was also deeply saddened by the news. My condolences to his family and friends.
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Post by janetcatbird on Jan 3, 2005 17:24:07 GMT -5
A link to an article about the memorial service, slightly ifferent from the standard AP release. www.eonline.com/News/Items/0%2C1%2C15616%2C00.htmlCelebs Gather for Orbach Funeral by Bridget Byrne Jan 2, 2005, 10:30 AM PT The stars turned out Friday in New York to remember, mourn and memorialize Jerry Orbach as a great song-and-dance man, an astute poker player, an avid golfer, a fine friend and coworker and a quintessential New Yorker. The Bronx-born Tony winner, most famous as the sleepy-eyed, seen-it-all, wisecracking detective Lennie Briscoe on Law & Order, died of prostate cancer on Tuesday at 69. About 300 friends, including many who patrolled the airwaves with Orbach during his 12-year stint on L&O, joined Orbach's family for the hour-long secular service at Riverside Memorial Chapel on Manhattan's West Side. His TV boss, S. Epatha Merkerson (lieutenant Anita Van Buren), was on hand, as were his three partners, Chris Noth (detective Mike Logan), Benjamin Bratt (detective Rey Curtis) and final sidekick Jesse L. Martin (detective Ed Green). Representing the Law were Sam Waterston (assistant D.A. Jack McCoy) and show alum and current Crossing Jordan star Jill Hennessy (who was assistant D.A. Claire Kincaid). Also present were fellow members of the Friars Club, former New York Mayor David Dinkins, veteran character actors like Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello and Brian Dennehy (who worked with Orbach on the 1986 thriller F/X), and stars who had hoofed and crooned with Orbach onstage. Chita Rivera, who costarred with Orbach in the 1970s in the musical Chicago, recalls how he looked originating the role of 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." Waterston spoke of Orbach's reassuring presence and his innate professionalism, joking, "He always knew his lines--and yours, too." Addressing the mourners, Waterston struggled to keep his composure, recounting how even during Orbach's final weeks at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center his spirit and determination were strong. "He chose a certain life, lived it as himself--and it worked out," said Waterston. "He didn't quit the show before it was over." According to press reports, Orbach lay in a simple wooden coffin draped with white blossoms. Family friend Elizabeth Hepburn led the gathering in breathing meditation, while cabaret singer Alice Evans performed the John Denver song "Perhaps Love." Meanwhile, Ed Sherin, an executive producer of Law & Order, described Orbach as someone who would "break into song" at any moment. Sherin said Orbach was "my best friend--and I imagine there are a lot of people here who would say the same." Sherin recalled Orbach as a "deadly poker player" and a great golf partner. Orbach, who won his Tony in 1969 for Promises, Promises received the Great White Way's ultimate tribute, a darkening of theater marquees in his memory on Wednesday. Friday's service also recalled Orbach's stage roots as "Lullaby of Broadway" was strummed on guitar, along with "Try to Remember", the signature tune of the off-Broadway hit The Fantasticks, where Orbach had first found fame originating the role of el Gallo. Orbach, who, after being diagnosed with cancer, left Law & Order for the less taxing schedule of Law & Order: Trial by Jury, will be seen as Briscoe in three episodes of the spinoff series when it premieres early this year.
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Post by NikkiGreen on Feb 22, 2005 23:32:02 GMT -5
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Post by Patcat on Feb 23, 2005 0:15:15 GMT -5
There are articles in the most recent TV GUIDE and the Feb. 22 NEW YORK TIMES about Mr. Orbach's last days of filming. They confirm that his was a class act.
Patcat
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Post by KATIE on Feb 23, 2005 5:48:04 GMT -5
I will miss my Lennie, his one liners and his impecible performances on every level. I remember him so well as "Baby`s" Dad In "Dirty Dancing" I cried when i heard of his passing, my heart felt thoughts are with his family. God Bless you Jerry "RIP" love Katie
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Post by Patcat on Mar 9, 2005 14:23:52 GMT -5
Playbill Online has news of a tribute to Mr. Orbach: <I>A Celebration of Jerry Orbach</I> to Feature Lansbury, Rivera and More Several notable members of the entertainment community will be on hand to pay tribute to the late Jerry Orbach at a memorial service on March 24. www.playbill.com/news/article/91626.htmlPatcat
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MelTex
Detective
"I want a Jonny 7 all-in-one gun..."
Posts: 336
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Post by MelTex on Mar 9, 2005 15:32:07 GMT -5
Thats great, because Jerry was a wonderful Broadway mainstay. I would have loved to see him on stage. He truly was a gifted singer and loved to perform, and loved his fans.
I watched his final performance as Lennie on last week's Trial By Jury, my last send off to one of my all time, favorite actors. My deepest condolences to his family and my prayers.
Jerry had become a part of my life from 15 years of Law and Order, so losing him (even though never knowing the man) felt like loosing a friend. I'm sure it was the same for all the other L&O fans who've welcomed Jerry and the rest of the characters in their homes for a few hours several days a week, for so many years.
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Post by Patcat on Mar 21, 2005 10:21:43 GMT -5
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Post by domenicaflor on Mar 24, 2005 23:32:48 GMT -5
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Post by Patcat on Mar 25, 2005 10:57:33 GMT -5
Thanks for posting that link Dom.
Today's issue of USA TODAY also has a brief report on the service, although not nearly as detailed as the PLAYBILL ONLINE report.
Patcat
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