- Target:
- New York City's Community Board 4
- Region:
- United States of America
Jerry Orbach, born in the Bronx in 1935, started his acting career on and off Broadway originating classic roles in such productions as The Fantasticks, Chicago, and 42nd Street.
He was nominated for three Tony Awards and two Drama Desk Awards of which he won one of each for his performance in Promises, Promises. His film career included such major titles such as Dirty Dancing, Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors, and the voice of the candlestick, Lumiere, in Disney's animated Beauty and the Beast.
On television he frequented as a guest star on Murder, She Wrote and The Golden Girls and was nominated for three Emmy awards. From 1992-2004, he starred on Law & Order as Detective Lennie Briscoe, arguably the role for which he was best known and most popular.
In 2002 Mr. Orbach, along with fellow Law & Order actor Sam Waterston, was presented with The Living Landmark Award by the New York Landmarks Conservancy, during which he quipped, “Now they can't tear me down." As Jerry Orbach naturally possessed character, vigor, and classic New York wit, he flawlessly created Lennie Briscoe- the epitome of the courageous, honorable, and wise New York City Detective.
Jerry Orbach has also been quoted saying, “Having the opportunity to do this in this long an arc has given me - and is continuing to give me - a feeling that I'm doing something for the city and for the people of it and for the cops. I see it every day on the street. The profile of ’Law & Order’ has gotten bigger and bigger. And the way the city feels about us... It's like we're part of the good things that happen in the city." He signed on to continue the role of Det. Briscoe on Law & Order: Trail by Jury but only appeared in two episodes before his death. The fifth episode of Trial by Jury was dedicated in his memory.
He died on December 28, 2004 at the age of 69. Jesse L. Martin, one of the more noteworthy actors to play Mr. Orbach’s partner on Law & Order and fellow Broadway star, performed “Razzle Dazzle” from Chicago as the finale for the In Memorandum segment of the Tony Awards in 2005. The day after his death, the lights of the Broadway marquees were dimmed, one of the highest honors in the theatre industry.
In February 2005, he was posthumously awarded a Screen Actor’s Guild award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series after previously being nominated eight times for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series for Law & Order.
The goal of this petition is to win the appeal to have a street sign renamed in his name at the location of his former residence, 53rd street and Eighth Avenue in New York City.
To the Members of New York City Community Board 4,
We, the fans and friends of Jerry Orbach, ask that a street sign at 53rd street and Eighth Avenue be posted in the actor’s great honor. We understand the importance of keeping New York City clean and as uncluttered as possible, but granting Mr. Orbach and his family this honor would be a perfect homage to such a legendary New Yorker. Even for those of us who never met the man, to have a hero in any of the numerous characters he created is to have something comfortable and stable. If New York City has a reputation of being unsafe, let there be a name that personifies strength and security on a street sign. If Jerry Orbach was a living landmark, then let there be a tangible landmark erected in his name to keep his legacy strong.
New York is a city of heroes, some real and some fictional; Jerry Orbach represented both. For that, we ask that this request be granted to such a remarkable and unforgettable character, both on and off the screen.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Fans and Supporters of the Late Jerry Orbach
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The Fight to have the late Jerry Orbach's name adorn NYC street sign petition to New York City's Community Board 4 was written by Gillian and is in the category City & Town Planning at GoPetition.