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Jerry Orbach

Date of Death: December 28, 2004 (69)

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BIO

Jerome Bernard Orbach was an American actor and singer, described at the time of his death as "one of the last bona fide leading men of the Broadway musical and global celebrity on television" and a "versatile stage and film actor".

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1980
Julian Marsh

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1975
Billy Flynn

[Broadway]
1972
Paul Friedman

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1968
Chuck Baxter [Replacement]

Chuck Baxter

[Off-Broadway]
1967
Harold Wonder

[Broadway]
1967
Performer

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1966
Charlie Davenport

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 1966
Charlie Davenport

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 1965
Jigger Craigin

[Broadway]
City Center Revival, 1965
Sky Masterson

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 1964
Larry Foreman

[Off-Broadway]
1964
Larry Foreman

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1961
Horrible Henry

Margueritte

Paul Berthalet

Carrot Top

Renardo

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1960
El Gallo

El Gallo [The Narrator]

[Off-Broadway]
Return Engagement [off-Broadway], 1955
Smith [Replacement]

Streetsinger [Replacement]


Movies

Cop Hater
[ 1958 ] Mumzer - Gang Leader
Mad Dog Coll
[ 1961 ] Joe Clegg
John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!
[ 1965 ] Pinkerton
The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight
[ 1971 ] Kid Sally
A Fan's Notes
[ 1972 ] Fred Exley
Foreplay
[ 1975 ] Jerry Lorsey
The Sentinel
[ 1977 ] Film Director
Prince of the City
[ 1981 ] Detective Gus Levy
Underground Aces
[ 1981 ] Herbert Penlittle
Brewster's Millions
[ 1985 ] Charley Pegler
The Imagemaker
[ 1986 ] Byron Caine
F/X
[ 1986 ] Nichol DeFranco
Dirty Dancing
[ 1987 ] Jake Houseman
I Love N.Y.
[ 1987 ] Leo
Someone to Watch Over Me
[ 1987 ] Lt. Garber
Last Exit to Brooklyn
[ 1989 ] Boyce
Crimes and Misdemeanors
[ 1989 ] Jack Rosenthal
A Gnome Named Gnorm
[ 1990 ] Stan Walton
California Casanova
[ 1991 ] Constantin Rominoffski
Delusion
[ 1991 ] Larry
Delirious
[ 1991 ] Lou Sherwood
Beauty and the Beast
[ 1991 ] Lumiere
Dead Women in Lingerie
[ 1991 ] Mr. Bartoli
Out for Justice
[ 1991 ] Ronny Donziger
Universal Soldier
[ 1992 ] Dr. Christopher Gregor
Straight Talk
[ 1992 ] Milo Jacoby
Mr. Saturday Night
[ 1992 ] Phil Gussman
Temps
[ 1999 ] Announcer
Prince of Central Park
[ 2000 ] Businessman
Chinese Coffee
[ 2000 ] Jake Manheim
Manna from Heaven
[ 2002 ] Waltz Contest Announcer

TV Shows

Homicide: Life on the Street
Detective Leonard 'Lennie' Briscoe
House of Mouse
Lumiere
Law & Order
Detective Leonard 'Lennie' Briscoe
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Detective Leonard 'Lennie' Briscoe
Murder, She Wrote
Harry McGraw
The Law and Harry McGraw
Harry McGraw

Awards and Nominations


winner
The Lortels - 1999 - Edith Oliver Award for Sustained Excellence

Jerry Orbach

Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Actor - Musical

Jerry Orbach, Chicago

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Jerry Orbach, Chicago


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1969 - Outstanding Performance

Jerry Orbach, Promises, Promises


winner
Tony Awards - 1969 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Jerry Orbach, Promises, Promises

Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Jerry Orbach , Guys and Dolls

Videos

News


Gabrielle Stravelli, Klea Blackhurst, and Graham Rowat Join SING HAPPY: THE LYRICS OF FRED EBB

The Fred Ebb Foundation and Birdland Jazz Club announced additional performers for Sing Happy: The Lyrics of Fred Ebb, which will take place next week at Birdland Jazz Club.
Nick Mason Joins Off-Broadway's THE OFFICE! A MUSICAL PARODY

Nick Mason is now starring in Off-Broadway's hit The Office! A Musical Parody, playing the role of Dwight & Others. Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here!
THE FANTASTICKS LGBTQIA+ Rewrite Extended at Island City Stage

ISLAND CITY STAGE has extended THE FANTASTICKS, offering a South Florida premiere with an LGBTQ+ twist. Discover this reimagined classic musical in its limited run.
Cheeyang Ng and Eric Sorrels Will Receive 20th Annual Fred Ebb Award

The Fred Ebb Foundation will present the twentieth annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to the team of Cheeyang Ng & Eric Sorrels. Learn more about the award and the ceremony here!
Blake Brundy Joins Cast Of Off-Broadway's SINGFELD! AN UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODY ABOUT NOTHING

Blake Brundy is now starring in Off-Broadway's hit Singfeld! An Unauthorized Musical Parody About Nothing, playing the role of Everybody Else in NYC. The cast of SINGFELD! also features Dustin Scully, Micaela Oliverio, C.J. Russo, and Alexander McConkie.
Brayden Krikke Joins Cast of THE OFFICE! A MUSICAL PARODY

Brayden Krikke is now starring in Off-Broadway’s hit The Office! A Musical Parody, playing the role of Jim/Andy. Krikke’s credits include: Vocalist (Celebrity Cruises), The Flash (Justice League Tour), Lucas (The Addams Family), and Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid).
Review: NORM LEWIS at The Barns At Wolf Trap

A veneer of unabashed professionalism, musical prowess, and often amusing self-reflection enveloped the Broadways star Norm Lewis (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, etc.) as he delighted the audience at The Barns at Wolf Trap. Norm Lewis’ rich and resonant baritone voice is a natural wonder of the musical world ----Lewis’ expressive baritone spans the range between tenor and bass with exceptional fluidity yet concurrent control.
Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff & More to Join SING HAPPY: THE LYRICS OF FRED EBB at Birdland

The Fred Ebb Foundation will present SING HAPPY: THE LYRICS OF FRED EBB, a special event celebrating the work of the renowned lyricist. Performers include Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff, Telly Leung and more.
Island City Stage Kicks Off Its 13th Season With THE FANTASTICKS

Off-Broadway's longest-running and most beloved musical, The Fantasticks, will kick off Island City Stage’s 13th South Florida Season beginning October 17.
DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT Comes to the Weidner in 2025

Immerse yourself in the timeless romance of the iconic Academy Award®-winning film with Dirty Dancing in Concert, After captivating over 200,000 fans with more than 100 mesmerizing shows across the U.S., Europe, UK, and Australia, the global phenomenon of Dirty Dancing in Concert will bring its magic back to North America for a tour spanning 50 cities including a stop at The Weidner for one night only on Friday, February 7 at 7:30 PM.
Top Off-Broadway Shows for September 2024

What's happening off-Broadway? BroadwayWorld is here to guide you through the top picks for theatre in the month of September.
Review: EDINBURGH 2024: SIX CHICK FLICKS . . ., Underbelly, Bristo Square

Six Chick Flicks, less commonly known by its full name, Six Chick Flicks . . . or a Legally Blonde Pretty Woman Dirty Danced on the Beaches while writing a Notebook on the Titanic, written and performed by Kerry Ipema and KK Apple, takes audiences through the world of some of their favourite chick flicks, lovingly parodied by two fans.
The Bushnell Presents DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT

The Bushnell will host DIRTY DANCING In Concert with tickets available starting Friday, August 23.
DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT To Visit Popejoy Hall This March

Experience the iconic film DIRTY DANCING like never before with a live concert tour visiting 50 cities, including a stop at Popejoy Hall.
DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT Comes To NJPAC This March

Experience the magic of DIRTY DANCING in concert at NJPAC in March 2025. Enjoy live performances of the iconic soundtrack and relive the classic movie moments on the big screen.
DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT Tour To Visit More Than 50 Cities Across North America In 2025

Dirty Dancing in Concert will return to North America in 2025, visiting over 50 cities. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Alexander McConkie Joins SINGFELD! AN UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODY ABOUT NOTHING

Alexander McConkie has joined the cast of OFF-BROADWAY'S SINGFELD! AN UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODY ABOUT NOTHING. Learn how to purchase tickets.
A FAIRLY ODD MUSICAL! Parody Will Make Off-Broadway Premiere

A Fairly Odd Musical! The Unauthorized Parody, a new interactive comedy spoofing the hit Nickelodeon TV series The Fairly OddParents, will make its Off-Broadway premiere next month! Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here!
Avery Horton Has Joined the Cast of Off-Broadway's FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY

Avery Horton has joined the cast of Off-Broadway's hit Friends! The Musical Parody as a Male Swing. 
Tim Redmond Joins The Cast of PERFECT CRIME Off-Broadway

Tim Redmond joins the cast of PERFECT CRIME, NYC's longest-running play. Discover more about his role and the impact of his addition to this iconic production.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Jerry Orbach been in?

Jerry Orbach has appeared on Broadway in 10 shows.

How many West End shows has Jerry Orbach been in?

Jerry Orbach has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Jerry Orbach been nominated for?

Jerry Orbach has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for the Edith Oliver Award for Sustained Excellence at The Lortels. He was also nominated for Outstanding Actor - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for his role in "Chicago". In addition, he received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for his performances in both "Chicago" and "Promises, Promises". Furthermore, he was nominated for Outstanding Performance at the Drama Desk Awards for "Promises, Promises". Lastly, he received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for his role in "Guys and Dolls".

What awards has Jerry Orbach won?

Jerry Orbach has won several awards throughout his career. He received the Edith Oliver Award for Sustained Excellence at The Lortels. He also won the Outstanding Performance award at the Drama Desk Awards for his role in Promises, Promises. Additionally, he won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his performance in Promises, Promises.

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