Jerry Orbach is a talented actor whose existence viewers learned about through the rated series Law & Order. In this TV project, he embodied the image of the brave detective Lenny Briscoe. More often, Jerry played minor roles than the main ones, but his characters often overshadowed the main characters. What else can you say about him?
Jerry Orbach: the beginning of the journey
The future performer of the role of detective Lenny Briscoe was born in New York, a joyful event took place 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.
The decision to become an actor Jerry Orbach took in his teens. Not surprisingly, after leaving school, he graduated from the University of Illinois, where he studied the art of drama. Additional experience for the young man was given by training inLee Strasberg Actors Studio.
Theater
Jerry Orbach became known to the general public through movies and TV shows. However, he always considered himself first and foremost a theater actor. For the first time, the young man made himself known thanks to the Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which he played in 1955. He managed to attract attention to himself thanks to the musical "Fantastics", in which he flashed in 1960.
It is difficult to list all the bright roles that Orbach has played on the theater stages of New York over the years. Three times the actor was nominated for the prestigious Tony Award. He managed to receive an award in 1969, the jury highly appreciated his performance in the musical Promises, Promises.
Shooting in serials
Jerry first appeared on the set in 1955, shortly after his debut on the theater stage. He got an episodic role in the series "Camera Three", which did not give him popularity. Only in the 70s Jerry Orbach began to actively act, films and series with his participation began to come out one after another.
"Slaughter Department", "Golden Girls", "Murder She Wrote" - TV 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 & Order. His character was the brave and in love with his work detective Lenny Briscoe. Jerry played this character for 13 years, starting in 1991.
Films with his participation
Of course, well-knownfilms with an actor. Jerry Orbach has starred in many famous films over the years. "Brewster's Millions", "Illusion of Murder", "Crimes and Misdemeanors", "Dirty Dancing", "Chinese Coffee", "Universal Soldier" are the films in which he played the characters most remembered by the audience.
Jerry was most often invited to act in comedies and dramas, he was equally good in these genres. Orbach is an actor who never had favorite and least favorite roles, he put his soul into each of his characters, no matter how much screen time he was given. Also, the actor was engaged in voice acting for cartoons. For example, Lumiere, the character of Beauty and the Beast, speaks in his voice.
Private life
Fans are interested not only in roles, but also in the personal life of an idol. Actor Jerry Orbach has been legally married 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 his children.
Already in 1979, the actor again decided to part with the status of a bachelor. Elaine Kansila, a well-known Broadway actress and dancer, became his chosen one. The couple lived in love and harmony for about 26 years, only Jerry's death separated them. Orbach did not have children in his second marriage.
Death
The talented actor left this world in December 2004. The cause of his death was prostate cancer,which Jerry had been wrestling with for about ten years. In the last years of his life, he practically did not act in film, as this was prevented by poor he alth.
In February 2005, Orbach was awarded the US Screen Actors Guild Award. This honorary award Jerry was awarded for the role of detective Lenny Briscoe in the television project "Law &Order". Unfortunately, this happened after his death.
Interesting facts
Jerry Orbach is the favorite actor of the famous writer Kurt Vonnegut, the latter reviewed almost all the films with his participation. Once Kurt was asked about what he would like to become if he had the opportunity to live someone else's life. He answered without hesitation that he would not refuse to become a brilliant Orbach and act in films.
The memory of the talented actor was immortalized in September 2007. 53rd Street in New York was named after him. Jerry played his last role in a feature film in the comedy Manna from Heaven, which was presented to the audience in 2002. Unfortunately, his he alth allowed him to act only in an episode of this picture.
