His character "Law & Order" (1990) and "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" (2005) character, Detective Lennie Briscoe, was the longest running character on American prime time live action television from May 2004, when "Frasier" (1993) ended, to March 2005. Kelsey Grammer had played Dr. Frasier Crane in "Cheers" (1982) and "Frasier" (1993) since November 1984. Richard Belzer, who has played Detective John Munch in "Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999) since January 1993, is the current holder of the title.
His manager, Robert Malcolm, announced in December 2004 that he has prostate cancer. However, Malcolm said, "We expect he'll be fine. He's been playing golf, shooting his episodes (of "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" (2005)) and doing real well".
His widow Elaine Orbach died on April 1st 2009 from pneumonia at the age of 69.
In 1969, he won the Tony Award for Best Actor (Musical) for his 1968 role of Chuck Baxter in the Burt Bacharach/Hal David musical "Promises, Promises", a stage adaptation of Billy Wilder's The Apartment (1960). This was preceded by a 1965 Tony nomination as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) for a revival of "Guys and Dolls," and followed by a 1976 Best Actor (Musical) nomination for the original production of "Chicago."
In 1976, he was nominated for the Tony Award® for "Best Actor in a Musical" for his performance in "Chicago."
In 2007 Jerry's oldest son Tony and grandson Peter appeared on the tv-show Cash Cab together.
Is one of four cast members from "Law & Order" (1990) whose character became a regular on a "Law & Order" spin-off. He played Det. Lennie Briscoe in both "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" (2005). Although he was signed as a regular cast member in L&O:TBJ, he died unexpectedly after shooting only two episodes.
Jerry Orbach was an animal-rights activist.
Made his Broadway stage debut as Smith, the Police Constable, in "The Threepenny Opera".
On "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" (2005), when he was so ill that he couldn't speak above a whisper, they rewrote the scene so that he and the other characters around him all had reason to whisper (outside of a courtroom door).
On Monday, 20th March 2000 he sued on-line auctioneer eBay Inc. in Manhattan (New York) federal court for displaying his Social Security number on the Internet. The suit alleges that eBay began broadcasting the confidential information on its Web site on Wednesday 15th March 2000 when it advertised the sale of two of Orbach's contracts from 1958.
Played the uncle of his real-life son, Chris Orbach, in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999).
Received the Edith Oliver Award for Sustained Excellence at the 1999 Lucille Lortel Awards.
Spent part of his childhood in Nanticoke, PA.
The "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" (2005) episode "Baby Boom" was dedicated to his memory. At the end, a message was shown that said "For Jerry".
The New York Landmark Conservancy declared him a Living Landmark.
W 53rd St. in Manhattan has been named Jerry Orbach Way!.
Was an organ donor and upon his death he gave his eyes as a gift of sight.
Was partying at the Copacabana with famed New York mobster Joey Gallo hours before Gallo was shot dead at Umberto's Clam House in New York City
Worked as a chauffeur for Mae West.