GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

The passing of a noted individual (NOT a joke). . .

POSTED BY: STATIC
UPDATED: Thursday, December 30, 2004 18:14
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Thursday, December 30, 2004 5:52 PM

STATIC


Jerry Orbach of 'Law & Order' died at age 69 on Tuesday, Dec 28th, 2004 of prostate cancer.

Orbach is most easily recognized for his role as Detective Lenny Briscoe on TV's "Law & Order", a role he played for 12 years.

Orbach presented a masterful portrayal of the world-weary, recovering alcoholic Briscoe. But even as Briscoe drooped from the burden of everything he'd encountered, both on and off the job, he sized up life with sarcastic asides. For instance, standing over a fresh body on which a receipt from a fancy restaurant was found, he muttered: "Dinner for two? Hope he enjoyed it."

Orbach may be BEST known for his 12 years as the cynical, wise-cracking Detective, but his face and voice have been entertaining the masses in practically every form of media since his youth, including the Broadway Stage. Those of you with kids might recognize the voice of "Lumiere" from Disney's "Beauty and the Beast", and Sa'luk, the Metal-fingered Thief in Disney's sequel to "Aladdin", "Aladdin and the King of Thieves."

Orbach started his career as a hoofer who also could carry a tune. Beginning in the 1960s, he starred on Broadway in hit musicals including "Carnival," "Promises, Promises" (for which he won a Tony Award), "42nd Street" and the original cast of "Chicago." In 1960, he was in the original cast of the off-off-Broadway hit "The Fantasticks," playing the Narrator who sang the evocative "Try to Remember." That show went on to run for more than 40 years.

Orbach was in more NON sci-fi works than he was in Sci-fi, which may have more than one Browncoat scratchin' his head as to why I'm taking up valuable space on our board, discussing his passing. Maybe it's the soldier in me.

You see. . .I feel that when an Airman passes, a Marine should bow his head. . .when someone in the Army falls in combat, Sailors should pay homage.

Orbach was not "one of ours" so to speak. . .he was not the Captain of a Starship, a Security Chief on a massive Space Station. . .but he did have something in common with our small-and-big-screen heroes. . .he brought quality entertainment to our homes (as long as you don't hold the film "A Gnome Named Gnort" against him).

I bet more than one NYPD officer will wear a black band for a while in his memory even though he wasn't a 'real cop'. . .I think we Browncoats could stand to raise a glass in his memory, if we can find a beverage worthy.

So long, Lenny. You done good.




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"Wash. . .we got some local color happening. A grand entrance would not go amiss."

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Thursday, December 30, 2004 6:14 PM

EMBERS


It is sad to lose Jerry Orbach,
last night NBC ran a rerun of Law&Order which was one with Lenny still in the show
- he will definitely be missed....

I'm glad we have so many wonderful performances by him to watch and remember him.

He added weight and reality to 'Dirty Dancing'

he added power and edginess to Woody Allen's
Crimes and Misdemeanors

he improved every film & TV show he was in.

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