1. Theatre, Film, and Television Biographies
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Jerry Orbach Biography (1935-)

Full name, Jerome Bernard Orbach; born October 20, 1935, in Bronx, NY; son ofLeon (a vaudeville performer and restaurant manager) and Emily (a radio singer and greeting card manufacturer; maiden name, Olexy) Orbach; married MartaCurro (an actress and writer), June 21, 1958 (divorced, 1975); married ElaineCancilla (a dancer), October 7, 1979; children: (first marriage) Anthony Nicholas, Christopher Ben (an actor, as Chris Orbach). Addresses: Agent:Robert Malcolm, Artists Group New York, 1650 Broadway, Suite 711, New York, NY 10019; William Morris Agency, 151 El Camino Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212.

Nationality

American

Gender

Male

Occupation

Actor

Birth Details

October 20, 1935

Bronx, New York, United States

Famous Works

• CREDITS
• Stage Appearances
• (Stage debut) Typewriter man, Room Service, Chevy Chase Tent Theatre, Wheeling, IL, 1952
• Picnic, Gristmill Playhouse, Andover, NJ, 1955
• The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, Gristmill Playhouse, 1955
• (Off-Broadway debut) Street singer and other roles, The Threepenny Opera (musical), Theatre de Lys, 1955
• Mannion, Mister Roberts, Dayton Municipal Auditorium, Dayton, OH,then Shubert Theatre, Cincinnati, OH, both 1959
• Kralohome, The King and I (musical), Dayton Municipal Auditorium,then Shubert Theatre, both 1959
• Dr. Sanderson, Harvey, Dayton Municipal Auditorium, then Shubert Theatre, both 1959
• Benny, Guys and Dolls (musical), Dayton Municipal Auditorium, thenShubert Theatre, both 1959
• The Student Prince (musical), Dayton Municipal Auditorium, then Shubert Theatre, both 1959
• El Gallo (the narrator), The Fantasticks (musical), Sullivan Street Playhouse, New York City, 1960
• Paul Berthalet, Carnival! (musical), Imperial Theatre, New York City, 1961, then Shubert Theatre, Chicago, IL, 1963
• Larry Foreman, The Cradle Will Rock, Theatre Four, New York City,1964
• Sky Masterson, Guys and Dolls (musical), City Center Theatre, NewYork City, 1965
• Jigger Craigin, Carousel (musical), State Theatre, New York City,1965
• Charlie Davenport, Annie Get Your Gun (musical), State Theatre, 1966
• Malcolm, The Natural Look, Longacre Theatre, New York City, 1967
• Harold Wonder, Scuba Duba, New Theatre, New York City, 1967
• Chuck Baxter, Promises, Promises (musical), Shubert Theatre, New York City, 1968
• Paul Friedman, 6 Rms Riv Vu, Helen Hayes Theatre, New York City, 1972
• The Rose Tattoo, Philadelphia Drama Guild, Walnut Street Theatre,Philadelphia, PA, 1973
• The Trouble with People ... and Other Things, Coconut Grove Theatre, Miami, FL, 1974
• Billy Flynn, Chicago (musical), Forty-sixth Street Theatre, New York City, 1975
• Julian Marsh, 42nd Street (musical), Winter Garden Theatre, New York City, 1980, then Majestic Theatre, New York City, 1981
• Night of 100 Stars, Radio City Music Hall, New York City, 1982
• Major Tours
• Paul Friedman, 6 Rms Riv Vu, U.S. cities, 1973
• Billy Flynn, Chicago (musical), U.S. cities, 1977-1978
• George Schneider, Chapter Two, U.S. cities, 1978-1979
• Film Appearances
• Joe "Mumzer" Sanchez, Cop Hater, United Artists, 1958
• Joe, Mad Dog Coll, Columbia, 1961
• (Uncredited) Ensign Pulver, 1964
• Pinkerton, John Goldfarb, Please Come Home, Twentieth Century-Fox,1964
• Kid Sally Palumbo, The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (also known as The Gang That Couldn't Shoot), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1971
• Fred, A Fan's Notes, Warner Bros., 1972
• Jerry Lorsey, Fore Play (also known as Foreplay and ThePresident's Women), Cinema National, 1975
• Michael Dayton, The Sentinel, Universal, 1977
• Gus Levy, Prince of the City, Warner Bros., 1981
• Herbert Penlittle, Underground Aces, 1981
• Charley Pegler, Brewster's Millions, Universal, 1985
• Nicholas DeFranco, F/X (also known as F/X: Murder by Illusion and Murder by Illusion), Orion, 1986
• Byron Caine, The Imagemaker, Castle Hill/Manson, 1986
• Dr. Jake Houseman, Dirty Dancing, Vestron, 1987
• Leo, I Love N.Y., Manley, 1987
• Lieutenant Garber, Someone to Watch Over Me, Columbia, 1987
• Jack Rosenthal, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Orion, 1989
• Boyce, Last Exit to Brooklyn (also known as Letzte Ausfahrt Brooklyn), Cinecom, 1989
• Bartoli, Dead Women in Lingerie, Monarch Home Video, 1990
• Voice of Lumiere, Beauty and the Beast (animated), Buena Vista, 1991, released as Beauty and the Beast: Special Edition, 2002
• Lou Sherwood, Delirious, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Pathe, 1991
• Larry, Delusion, IRS Releasing, 1991
• Captain Ronnie Donziger, Out for Justice, Warner Bros., 1991
• Constantin Rominoffski, California Casanova, Academy Home Entertainment, 1991
• (Uncredited) Albert Trotta, Toy Soldiers, 1991
• Phil Gussman, Mr. Saturday Night, Columbia, 1992
• Milo Jacoby, Straight Talk, Buena Vista, 1992
• Dr. Christopher Gregor, Universal Soldier, TriStar, 1992
• Stan Walton, The Adventures of a Gnome Named Gnorm (also known asA Gnome Named Gnorm and Upworld), 1993
• (Uncredited) The Cemetary Club (also known as Looking for a Live One), 1993
• Voice of Sa'luk, Aladdin and the King of Thieves (animated), WaltDisney Home Video, 1996
• Voice of Lumiere, Belle's Magical World (animated; also known as Disney's Belle's Magical World), 1997
• Voice of Lumiere, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (animated), Walt Disney Home Video, 1997
• Businessman, Prince of Central Park, Keystone Entertainment, 2000
• Jake Manheim, Chinese Coffee, Twentieth Century-Fox, 2000
• Himself, The Acting Class, 2000
• Himself, Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Where There(also known as Broadway: The Golden Age), Second Act Productions, 2003
• Television Appearances
• Series
• Voice of Zachary Foxx, Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers (animated;also known as Galaxy Rangers), syndicated, 1986
• Harry McGraw, The Law and Harry McGraw, CBS, 1987-1988
• Detective Leonard "Lennie" Briscoe, Law & Order, NBC, beginning 1992
• Host, Encounters with the Unexplained, PAX, 2000
• Voice of Lumiere for House of Mouse (animated; also known as Disney's House of Mouse), ABC.
• Movies
• Sam Bianchi, An Invasion of Privacy, CBS, 1983
• Spicer, Love among Thieves, ABC, 1987
• Blaine Counter, Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder (alsoknown as The Case of the Musical Murder and Perry Mason: The Case of the Final Curtain), NBC, 1989
• Alan Michelson, In Defense of a Married Man, ABC, 1990
• Tony Salducci, "None So Blind," Kojak (also known as The ABC Saturday Mystery), ABC, 1990
• Vic St. John, Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter (alsoknown as Perry Mason: The Case of the Late Newsman), NBC, 1991
• Dr. Vincent Callafato, Quiet Killer (also known as Black Death and Panic in the City), CBS, 1992
• Jack Jerome, Neil Simon's Broadway Bound (also known as Broadway Bound), ABC, 1992
• Congressman Clifton Byers, Mastergate, Showtime, 1992
• Detective Leonard "Lennie" Briscoe, Exiled: A Law & Order Movie (also known as Exiled), NBC, 1998
• Miniseries
• John Sutter, Dream West, CBS, 1986
• Mort Viner, Out on a Limb, ABC, 1987
• Episodic
• "Field of Battle," The Nurses, CBS, 1963
• Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, NBC, 1964
• "The Sworn Twelve," The Defenders, CBS, 1965
• Guest panelist, What's My Line?, 1973
• "Never, Never, Ever Again ... Maybe," Diana, NBC, 1973
• "Love and the Hoodwinked Honey," Love, American Style, ABC, 1973
• Brubaker, "A Question of Answers," Kojak, CBS, 1975
• Josh, "The Captives," Medical Center, CBS, 1975
• Lars Mangros, "Space Rockers," Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, NBC, 1980
• "Hot Line," Trapper John, M.D., CBS, 1980
• Brian Merrick, Our Family Honor, ABC, 1985
• Harry McGraw, "Tough Guys Don't Die," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1985
• Harry McGraw, "One Good Bid Deserves a Murder," Murder, She Wrote,CBS, 1986
• Voice, "Germs Make Me Sick!," Reading Rainbow, 1986
• Harry McGraw, "Death Takes a Dive," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1987
• Rick, "Cabin Fever," The Hitchhiker, HBO, 1987
• Robert, "Everybody Needs a Little Love," Tales from the Darkside,1987
• Harrison/Malcolm Shanley III, "Ain't Gonna Get It from Me, Jack," Simon & Simon, CBS, 1988
• Harry McGraw, "Double Exposure," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1989
• Sal Scarlatti, "Son and Heir," Hunter, NBC, 1990
• Glen O'Brien, "Cheaters," The Golden Girls, NBC, 1990
• Nick, "Starlight Memories," Who's the Boss?, 1990
• Voice, "Coney Island," The American Experience, PBS, 1991
• Harry McGraw, "From the Horse's Mouth," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1991
• Harry McGraw, "The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1991
• Frank Lehrman, "The Wages of Love," Law & Order, NBC, 1991
• Arthur, "The Mismatchmaker," Empty Nest, 1992
• Arthur, "... Or Forever Hold Your Peace," Empty Nest, 1992
• Detective Leonard "Lennie" Briscoe, "For God and Country," Homicide: Life on the Street, NBC, 1996
• Voice of Mitch, "High Crane Drifter," Frasier, NBC, 1996
• Gourmet Getaways with Robin Leach, Food Network, 1996
• Detective Leonard "Lennie" Briscoe, "Baby, It's You: Part 2," Homicide: Life on the Street, NBC, 1997
• Detective Leonard "Lennie" Briscoe, "Sideshow: Part 2," Homicide: Lifeon the Street, 1999
• Detective Leonard "Lennie" Briscoe, "Or Just Look Like One," Law &Order: Special Victims Unit, NBC and USA Network, 1999
• Detective Leonard "Lennie" Briscoe, "Hysteria," Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NBC and USA Network, 1999
• Detective Leonard "Lennie" Briscoe, "Entitled: Part 1," Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NBC and USA Network, 2000
• Detective Leonard "Lennie" Briscoe, "Poison," Law & Order: Criminal Intent, NBC, 2001
• Also appeared on The Jack Paar Show, NBC; and The Shari Lewis Show, NBC.
• Specials
• Cristol, Twenty-four Hours in a Woman's Life, CBS, 1961
• Charles Davenport, Annie Get Your Gun, NBC, 1967
• Mitzi: A Tribute to the American Housewife, CBS, 1974
• The Way They Were, syndicated, 1981
• Sam Nash, "Visitor from Mamaroneck," Jesse Kiplinger, "Visitor from Hollywood," and Rob Hubley, "Visitor from Forest Hills," Plaza Suite, HBO,1982
• Night of 100 Stars, ABC, 1982
• Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration, CBS, 1988
• "A Salute to Broadway: The Shows," Performance at the White House,PBS, 1988
• Be Our Guest: The Making of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," The Disney Channel, 1991
• Judge, The 1995 Miss America Pageant, NBC, 1995
• Host, You Be The Judge, NBC, 1998
• Interviewee, Bob Fosse: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 1999
• Christopher Jones: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 1999
• Interviewee, Herve Villechaize: The E! True Hollywood Story (alsoknown as Fantasy Island Tragedy--Herve Villechaize: The E! True HollywoodStory), E! Entertainment Television, 1999
• Interviewee, Ethel Merman: There's No Business Like Show Business,Arts and Entertainment, 1999
• The Great American History Quiz: Heroes and Villains, History Channel, 2000
• The Comedy Club Presents the New York Friars Club Roast of Rob Reiner, Comedy Central, 2000
• Host and narrator, The Hunt, Arts and Entertainment, 2001
• Interviewee, Burt Bacharach, Arts and Entertainment, 2001
• Himself, TV Guide 50 Best Shows of All Time: A 50th Anniversary Celebration, ABC, 2002
• Pilots
• Sergeant Max Grozzo, The Streets (also known as Street Heat), NBC, 1984
• Phil Brody, The Flamingo Kid, ABC, 1989
• Awards Presentations
• The 23rd Annual Tony Awards, 1969
• The 30th Annual Tony Awards, 1976
• The 64th Annual Academy Awards Presentation, ABC, 1992
• The 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, NBC, 2002
• RECORDINGS
• Albums
• The Fantasticks (original cast recording), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1960, reissued by Polydor
• Carnival! (original cast recording), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1961
• Jerry Orbach Off-Broadway, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1961, reissued, 2000
• The Cradle Will Rock (cast recording), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1965
• Carousel (cast recording), RCA Victor, 1965
• Annie Get Your Gun (cast recording), RCA Victor, 1966
• Alan Jay Lerner Revisited, Crewe, 1966, reissued by Painted Smiles
• Promises, Promises (original cast recording), United Artists Records, 1969, reissued by Liberty
• Chicago (original cast recording), Arista, 1975
• 42nd Street (original cast recording), RCA Red Seal, 1980
• Beauty and the Beast (original soundtrack recording), 1991
• Singles include "Love Stolen," Take Home Tunes, 1976.
• Videos
• Himself, The Hustler: The Inside Story, Twentieth Century-Fox HomeEntertainment, 2001
• Voice of Detective Leonard "Lennie" Briscoe, Law & Order: The Game (video game), 2002
• Voice of Detective Leonard "Lennie" Briscoe, Law & Order: Dead onthe Money (video game), 2002
• Audio Books
• Narrator, Death Flight by Ed McBain, 1995
• Also reader for audio-book versions of other titles by McBain.

Further Reference

OTHER SOURCES

Periodicals

• Entertainment Weekly, December 5, 1997, pp. 61-62
• Parade, January 13, 2002, pp. 8, 10
• People Weekly, October 14, 1996, p. 49; August 17, 1998, p. 23; October 16, 2000, p. 202
• TV Guide, August 14, 1999, pp. 37-38