Actor Jerry Orbach: biography, photo. Best movies and TV shows

Jerry Orbach - a talented actor, whose existence the audience learned thanks to the rating series "Law and Order". In this television project he embodied the image of the brave detective Lenny Briscoe. More often Jerry played secondary roles than the main ones, however his characters often overshadowed the key characters. What more can you tell about him?

Jerry Orbach: the beginning of the road

The future executor of the role of detective Lenny Briscoe was born in New York, there was a joyful event in October 1935. Jerry Orbach was born in a simple family. Among his relatives there were not only famous actors, but also people, somehow connected with the cinema world. He always considered himself an American, but among his ancestors were Jews, Poles, Lithuanians, Germans. Parents raised a son in the Catholic faith.

The decision to become an actor Jerry Orbach took as a teenager. Not surprisingly, after graduating from high school, he graduated from the University of Illinois, where he studied the art of drama. Additional experience for the young man gave the training in the acting studio Lee Strasberg.

Theater

Jerry Orbach became known to the general public thanks to movies and serials. However, he always considered himself primarily a theater actor. For the first time, the young man made himself known through the Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which he played in 1955. He managed to draw attention to himself thanks to the musical Fantasy, in which he flashed in 1960.

It is difficult to list all the bright roles that Orbach played on theatrical stages of New York for years of work. Three times the actor was nominated for the prestigious Tony Award. He won the award in 1969, the jury praised his performance in the musical "Promises, Promises".

Shooting in TV shows

For the first time, Jerry was on the set in 1955, shortly after his debut on the stage. He got an episodic role in the series "Camera Three", which did not give him popularity. Only in the 70's began to actively withdraw Jerry Orbach, films and series with his participation began to go one after another.

"Killer Division", "Golden Girls", "She wrote the murder" - television projects in which the actor played his most vivid roles. The status of a star and a favorite of the public Orbach acquired after the release of the series "Law and Order". His character was a brave and in love with his work detective Lenny Briscoe. This hero Jerry played for 13 years, since 1991.

Films with his participation

Of course, well-known movies with an actor deserve attention. Jerry Orbach for years of work starred in many famous paintings. Millions of Brewster, Illusion of Murder, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Dirty Dancing, Chinese Coffee, Universal Soldier are films in which he played the characters most remembered by the audience.

Most often Jerry was invited to appear in comedy and drama, he was equally good in these genres. Orbah - an actor who never had any favorite and unloved roles, he put his soul into each of his heroes, no matter how much screen time he was given. Also, the lyceum was engaged in the voice acting of cartoons. For example, it is his voice that Lumiere says - the character of "Beauty and the Beast".

Personal life

Fans are interested not only in the role, but in the personal life of the idol. Actor Jerry Orbach twice married. In 1958, he married Martha Curro - a simple girl who had nothing to do with the world of cinema. The first wife gave Jerry two sons, in total they lived together for 17 years. In 1975, Orbach for unknown reasons divorced his wife, which had a negative impact on his relationship with children.

Already in 1979, the actor again decided to part with the status of a bachelor. His chosen one was Elaine Kansila, a well-known Broadway actress and dancer. The couple lived in love and harmony for about 26 years, only Jerry's death separated them. Children in the second marriage Orbach did not start.

Death

A talented actor left this world in December 2004. The cause of his death was prostate cancer, with which Jerry struggled for about ten years. In the last years of his life, he practically did not act, as this was hampered by his poor state of health.

In February 2005, Orbach was awarded the Screen Actors Guild of the United States. This honorable award, Jerry was awarded for the role of detective Lenny Briscoe in the TV project "Law and Order". Unfortunately, it happened after his death.

Interesting Facts

Jerry Orbach - favorite actor of the famous writer Kurt Vonnegut, the last reviewed almost all the films with his participation. Once Kurt was asked about what he would like to become if he had the opportunity to live someone else's life. He did not hesitate to reply that he would not have refused to become a brilliant Orbach and act in films.

The memory of the talented lyceum was immortalized in September 2007. In his honor was called the 53rd Street in New York. The last of his role in the feature film Jerry performed in the comedy "Manna Celestial", which was presented to the audience in 2002. Unfortunately, health allowed him to withdraw only in the episode of this picture.