Jerry Orbach
Biography
Jerry Orbach was an American actor and singer. He originated the character of El Gallo in The Fantasticks, and played Chuck Baxter in the original production of Promises, Promises. He also played Julian Marsh in 42nd Street and Billy Flynn in the original production of Chicago. Orbach is best known for his role as Detective Lennie Briscoe in the series Law & Order, which he played from 1992 to 2004. He voiced the character Lumière in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Orbach was a noted musical theatre star, known for his work in various stage productions.
Career overview
Jerry Orbach began his acting career in musical theatre, where he originated several notable roles. He was part of the original production of The Fantasticks, a musical play that holds the record for the longest-running musical in history. Orbach also originated the role of Chuck Baxter in Promises, Promises, and played Julian Marsh in 42nd Street. Additionally, he originated the role of Billy Flynn in the original production of Chicago.
Orbach's career transitioned to television, where he gained widespread recognition for his role in the series Law & Order. He played the character of Detective Lennie Briscoe from 1992 to 2004. In addition to his television work, Orbach provided the voice of a character in the 1991 film Beauty and the Beast.
Throughout his acting career, Orbach demonstrated his versatility in a range of roles. His work in musical theatre and television showcased his ability to adapt to different genres and formats.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
107 titles- Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (2021) as Self
- Howard (2018) as Self / Lumiere (archive footage)
- The New Yorker Presents (2016) as Detective Lennie Brisco
- Waking Sleeping Beauty (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005) as Lennie Briscoe
- Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards (2005) as Chuck Baxter (segment "Promises, Promises") (archive footage)
- Disney Princess Sing Along Songs, Vol. 2 - Enchanted Tea Party (2005) as Lumiere (voice)
- Broadway's Lost Treasures II (2004) as Host (segment "Revivals and Record Breakers") / Billy Flynn (segment "Chicago")
- Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) as Self
- Broadway's Lost Treasures (2003) as Host (segment "Broadway Divas") / Julian Marsh (segment "42nd Street")
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien: 10th Anniversary Special (2003) as Self
- Try to Remember: The Fantasticks (2003) as Self
- Law & Order: Corruption Empire (2003)
- Manna from Heaven (2002) as Waltz Contest Announcer
- The Hustler: The Inside Story (2002) as Self - Actor
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) as Lennie Briscoe
- Disney's House of Mouse (2001) as Lumiere (voice)
- The Acting Class (2000) as Self
- Prince of Central Park (2000) as Businessman
- Chinese Coffee (2000) as Jake Manheim
- Encounters With the Unexplained (2000)
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Detective Lennie Briscoe
- Where Are They Now? (1999) as Self
- Belle's Tales of Friendship (1999) as Lumiere (voice)
- Serial Killers: Profiling the Criminal Mind (1999) as Narrator
- Belle's Magical World (1998) as Lumiere (voice)
- Exiled (1998) as Detective Lenny Briscoe
- Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997) as Lumiere (voice)
- Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996) as Sa'Luk (voice)
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Frasier (1993) as Mitch (voice)
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- Homicide: Life on the Street (1993) as Lennie Briscoe
- The Cemetery Club (1993) as Jake Rubin (uncredited)
- Universal Soldier (1992) as Dr. Christopher Gregor
- Mastergate (1992) as Clifton Byers
- Mr. Saturday Night (1992) as Phil Gussman
- Quiet Killer (1992) as Dr. Vincent Califano
- Broadway Bound (1992) as Jack Jerome
- Straight Talk (1992) as Milo Jacoby
- Beauty and the Beast (1991) as Lumiere (voice)
- Dead Women in Lingerie (1991) as Mr. Bartoli
- Out for Justice (1991) as Ronny Donziger
- Delusion (1991) as Larry
- Delirious (1991) as Lou Sherwood
- California Casanova (1991) as Constantin Rominoffski
- Toy Soldiers (1991) as Albert Trotta (uncredited)
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter (1991) as Vic St. John
- A Gnome Named Gnorm (1991) as Stan Walton
- Law & Order (1990) as Frank Lehrman
- Law & Order (1990) as Lennie Briscoe
- Kojak: None So Blind (1990) as Tony Salducci
- In Defense of a Married Man (1990) as Alan Michelson
- Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) as Jack Rosenthal
- Last Exit to Brooklyn (1989) as Boyce
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder (1989) as Blaine Counter
- Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration (1988) as Self
- Dirty Dancing (1987) as Dr. Jake Houseman
- Love Among Thieves (1987) as Spicer
- The Law & Harry McGraw (1987) as Harry McGraw
- Someone to Watch Over Me (1987) as Lt. Garber
- Out on a Limb (1987) as Mort Viner
- I Love N.Y. (1987) as Leo
- The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers (1986) as Zachary Foxx (voice)
- F/X (1986) as Nicholas DeFranco
- The Imagemaker (1986) as Byron Caine
- The Golden Girls (1985) as Glen
- Brewster's Millions (1985) as Charley Pegler
- Night of 100 Stars II (1985) as Self
- Jeopardy! (1984) as Self
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Harry McGraw
- Hunter (1984) as Sal Scarlatti
- Tales from the Darkside (1984) as Roberts
- The Streets (1984) as Sgt. Max Grozzo
- The Hitchhiker (1983) as Cameron
- The Magic of Herself the Elf (1983) as King Thorn (voice)
- An Invasion of Privacy (1983) as Sam Bianchi
- Plaza Suite (1982) as Roy Hubley / Jesse Kiplinger / Sam Nash
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- Simon & Simon (1981)
- Prince of the City (1981) as Gus Levy
- Underground Aces (1981) as Herbert Penlittle
- Alex and the Doberman Gang (1980) as Rogers
- Trapper John, M.D. (1979)
- Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979) as Lars Mangros
- The Sentinel (1977) as Michael Dayton
- Fore Play (1975) as Jerry Lorsey
- Mitzi... A Tribute to the American Housewife (1974) as Self
- Kojak (1973) as Brubaker
- A Fan's Notes (1972) as Fred Exley
- The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (1971) as Kid Sally
- Love, American Style (1969) as Homer 'Arsenal' Andrews
- Medical Center (1969)
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Annie Get Your Gun (1967) as Charles Davenport
- John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! (1965) as Pinkerton
- Bye Bye Birdie (1963) as Bob (Ed Sullivan Show Producer) (uncredited)
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Defenders (1961) as J.P. Loring
- Mad Dog Coll (1961) as Joe Clegg
- 24 Hours in a Woman's Life (1961) as Cristof
- Cop Hater (1958) as Mumzer
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Host / Presenter
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Nominee / Performer
- Marty (1955) as Ballroom Patron (uncredited)
- Guys and Dolls (1955) as Barbershop Patron (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jerry Orbach best known for?
Jerry Orbach is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The 10th Victim (1965), Cuckoo (2012), Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005), Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003).
When and where was Jerry Orbach born?
Jerry Orbach was born on October 20, 1935 in New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on December 28, 2004.
How many credits does Jerry Orbach have?
Jerry Orbach has accumulated over 107 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1955 to 2021.
What is Jerry Orbach's background in cinema and television?
Jerry Orbach was an American actor and singer. He originated the character of El Gallo in The Fantasticks, and played Chuck Baxter in the original production of Promises, Promises. He also played Julian Marsh in 42nd Street and Billy Flynn in the original production of Chicago. Orbach is best known for his role as Dete...