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Biography
Jerome Bernard Orbach was born in the Bronx (New York City), New York on October 20, 1935. His parents were also creative: his mother Emily was a radio singer, his father Leon had tried his hand at Vaudeville. They were nervous about their son persuing an acting career with no back-up plan, but were ultimately supportive.He started singing as a child, acting as a teen, and by 1955 (at the age of 20), had already started his climb up the Broadway ladder, as a featured performer in The Threepenny Opera. He went on to originate several roles that have now become staples of the theater, such as El Gallo in The Fantasticks, and Billy Flynn in Chicago. Please see the theater/stage page to view the list of shows he performed in. It is quite impressive. As are his film and television credits. The man worked a lot. A lot.
Jerry Orbach had secretly battled prostate cancer for 10 years before his passing on December 28, 2004. He was survived by his adoring wife Elaine Cancilla Orbach and his two sons (from his first marriage to Marta Curro): Anthony and Christopher. Christopher starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) as Det. Ken Briscoe (nephew to Jerry's character, Det. Lennie Briscoe).
Fast Facts:
- Was an only child.
- Of German, Spanish Sephardic Jewish, and Polish-Lithuanian decent.
- Raised Catholic (his mother's faith).
- Skipped two grades in elementary school due to his high IQ.
- Was a chauffeur for Mae West, who once tipped him $100 (four weeks' pay).
- Stood 6 feet, 1 ½ inches tall.
- The New York Landmarks Conservancy declared him a Living Landmark.
- Following his death, marquees on Broadway were dimmed in tribute.
- A section New York City's 53rd Street (near Eighth Avenue) was renamed Jerry Orbach Way.
- There is a Jerry Orbach Theater located at 210 West 50th Street in Manhattan.
- Sadly, both Marta (2012) and Elaine (2009) have also passed on.