NYC to Dedicate "Jerry Orbach Way" on September 17

The City of New York will name a portion of 53rd Street at 8th Avenue after the late Jerry Orbach on Monday, September 17. A street sign reading “Jerry Orbach Way” will be unveiled during a dedication ceremony to be attended by his widow, Elaine, and other luminaries. The actor died of prostate cancer on December 28, 2004 at the age of 69.

Orbach’s theater career began in 1960 as El Gallo in the original Off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks. He went on to star in such Broadway musicals as 42nd Street, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Carnival, and Promises, Promises, which earned him the 1969 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

In later years, Orbach became best known for his starring role as wisecracking Detective Lennie Briscoe in the long-running television series Law & Order. His other film credits included Prince of the City, Dirty Dancing, Crimes and Misdemeanors, and Beauty and the Beast.