What is Jerry Orbach’s Net Worth?
Jerry Orbach, the American actor and singer, had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death in 2004. He was best known for his work on stage, film, and television. Orbach starred in the original productions of “The Fantasticks,” “Chicago,” and “42nd Street,” and won a Tony Award for his performance in “Promises, Promises.” He also appeared in movies such as “Dirty Dancing,” “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” and “Beauty and the Beast,” and was a regular on the popular TV series “Law & Order.”
Jerry Orbach’s Early Life and Career
Jerry Orbach was born on October 20, 1935 in the Bronx borough of New York City. He grew up in a family of performers, with his father being a restaurant manager and vaudeville performer, and his mother a radio singer and greeting card maker. Orbach was raised in the Roman Catholic faith of his mother, and the family moved frequently before settling in Waukegan, Illinois where he attended high school.
After graduating from high school, Orbach worked for a summer at Chevy Chase Country Club’s theatre in Wheeling, Illinois. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, before transferring to Northwestern University. Orbach ultimately dropped out of college before his senior year, and moved to New York City to pursue his acting career at the Actors Studio.
In 1955, Orbach made his screen debut with uncredited parts in “Guys and Dolls” and “Marty.” The same year, he also debuted on stage in a production of “The Threepenny Opera.”
Jerry Orbach’s Career Highlights
Orbach’s first major role was playing El Gallo in “The Fantasticks” in 1960. He went on to perform in “Carnival!” and a revival of “The Cradle Will Rock.” Orbach received his first Tony nomination for his portrayal of Sky Masterson in a revival of “Guys and Dolls” in 1965. He also appeared in “Carousel,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “The Natural Look,” and “Scuba Duba.”
From 1968 to 1972, Orbach played Chuck Baxter in the musical “Promises, Promises,” earning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He also starred in the play “6 Rms Riv Vu.” In 1975, Orbach originated the role of Billy Flynn in the hit musical “Chicago,” and received his third Tony nomination. He later originated the role of Julian Marsh in “42nd Street.”
Jerry Orbach’s Film Career
Jerry Orbach started his film career in the 1961 biographical drama “Mad Dog Coll” and went on to have notable roles in “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight,” “Prince of the City,” “Dirty Dancing,” and “Beauty and the Beast,” in which he voiced the candelabrum Lumière and performed the memorable number “Be Our Guest.” Orbach appeared in other films such as “F/X,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Last Exit to Brooklyn,” “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” “Out for Justice,” and “Universal Soldier.” His final film role was in 2004’s “Protestors.”
Television Career of Jerry Orbach
Jerry Orbach began his television career in 1961 with “Twenty-Four Hours in a Woman’s Life” and later appeared in the television movie adaptation of “Annie Get Your Gun.” He made appearances on popular series such as “Love, American Style,” “Medical Center,” “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,” and “Murder, She Wrote” where he played the recurring role of Harry McGraw. Orbach received Emmy Award nominations for his guest appearance on “The Golden Girls” and supporting performance in “Broadway Bound.”
Orbach achieved global fame in 1992 when he joined the cast of “Law & Order” as NYPD homicide detective Lennie Briscoe. He played the character for over 11 seasons and became one of the show’s longest-serving and most popular cast members. Orbach earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2000 and won a posthumous SAG Award in 2004. He reprised his role as Lennie Briscoe on other programs such as “Homicide: Life on the Street” and the “Law & Order” sequels.
Personal Life and Passing
In 1958, Orbach married his first wife, Marta Curro; they had two sons named Anthony and Christopher, and divorced in 1975. Four years later, Orbach married Broadway dancer Elaine Cancilla, with whom he was with until his passing.
Orbach was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January of 1994. He underwent radiation therapy, and then went on hormone therapy for the next decade as he continued to star on “Law & Order.” After leaving the show in 2004, he underwent chemotherapy. Ultimately, Orbach passed away in December of that year at the age of 69. His illness was not revealed to the public until a few weeks before this. Having had perfect 20/20 vision, Orbach requested that his eyes be donated following his passing, a wish that was fulfilled.
