Jerry Orbach is a talented actor, whose existence the audience learned thanks to the rating series Law and Order. In this television project, he embodied the image of the brave detective Lenny Briscoe. More often Jerry played secondary roles than the main ones, but his characters often overshadowed the key characters. What else can you tell about him?
Jerry Orbach: The Start
The future performer of the role of detective Lenny Briscoe was born in New York, there was a joyful event in October 1935. Jerry Orbach was born into a simple family. Among his relatives there were not only famous actors, but also people who were somehow connected with the world of cinema. He always considered himself an American, but among his ancestors were Jews, Poles, Lithuanians, Germans. Parents raised their son in the Catholic faith.
Jerry Orbach made the decision to become an actor as a teenager. It is not surprising that after graduation he graduated from the University of Illinois, where he studied the art of drama. Additional experience for the young man was given by training at the acting studio of Lee Strasberg.
Theatre
Jerry Orbach became known to the general public through films and TV shows. However, he always considered himself primarily a theater actor. For the first time, the young man made himself known thanks to the Broadway production of The Three Penny Opera, in which he played in 1955. He managed to attract attention thanks to the musical Fantastic, in which he flashed in 1960.
It is difficult to list all the vivid roles that Orbach played on the theatrical stages of New York over the years of work. Three times the actor was nominated for the prestigious Tony Award. He managed to get the award in 1969, the jury praised his play in the musical "Promises, Promises."
TV Shooting
Jerry first appeared on the set in 1955, shortly after his debut on the stage. He got a cameo role in the series "Camera Three", which did not give him popularity. Only in the 70s Jerry Orbach began to act actively, films and series with his participation began to go out one after another.
“Slaughter department”, “Golden girls”, “She wrote the murder” - television projects in which the actor played his most striking roles. Orbach acquired the status of a star and a favorite of the public after the release of the series Law and Order. His character was the brave and in love with his work, detective Lenny Briscoe. This hero Jerry has been playing for 13 years since 1991.
Films with his participation
Of course, well-known films with the actor deserve attention. Jerry Orbach has starred in many famous films over the years. Millions of Brewster, The Illusion of Murder, Crimes and Misconduct, Dirty Dancing, Chinese Coffee, Universal Soldier - films in which he played the characters most remembered by the audience.
Most often, Jerry was invited to star in comedies and dramas, he was equally good in these genres. Orbach is an actor who has never had a favorite and unloved roles, he put his soul into each of his hero, no matter how much screen time he is given. Also, the lyceum was engaged in voice acting for cartoons. For example, it was in his voice that Lumiere speaks - the character of Beauty and the Beast.
Personal life
Fans are interested in not only the roles, but also the personal life of the idol. Actor Jerry Orbach entered into legal marriage twice. In 1958, he married Martha Curro, a simple girl who had nothing to do with the world of cinema. The first wife gave Jerry two sons, in total, they lived together for 17 years. In 1975, Orbach divorced his wife for unknown reasons, which negatively affected his relationship with children.
Already in 1979, the actor again decided to part with the status of a bachelor. His chosen one was Elaine Kansila, a famous Broadway actress and dancer. The couple lived in love and harmony for about 26 years, only the death of Jerry separated them. Orbach did not have children in his second marriage.
Death
A talented actor left this world in December 2004. The cause of his death was prostate cancer, with which Jerry fought for about ten years. In the last years of his life, he practically did not act in film, as this was prevented by poor health.
In February 2005, Orbach was awarded the United States Screen Actors Guild Award. Jerry was awarded this honorary award for his role as detective Lenny Briscoe in the television show Law and Order. Unfortunately, this happened after his death.
