Jerry Orbach
Known for
An American actor and singer born in New York, Jerry Orbach bridged Broadway and screen with a distinctive gravelly warmth. A Tony-winning stage star, he voiced the candelabra Lumiere in Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' (1991) and played Baby's father, Dr. Houseman, in 'Dirty Dancing' (1987). He became a household name as the world-weary Detective Lennie Briscoe on television's 'Law & Order', a role he held for a dozen years until his death in 2004. A consummate professional, he combined musical-theatre polish with hard-boiled screen authority.
Jerry Orbach
46 Movies
16 Series
An American actor and singer born in New York, Jerry Orbach bridged Broadway and screen with a distinctive gravelly warmth. A Tony-winning stage star, he voiced the candelabra Lumiere in Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' (1991) and played Baby's father, Dr. Houseman, in 'Dirty Dancing' (1987). He became a household name as the world-weary Detective Lennie Briscoe on television's 'Law & Order', a role he held for a dozen years until his death in 2004. A consummate professional, he combined musical-theatre polish with hard-boiled screen authority.
Movies
Plays Lumiere (voice)
Beauty and the Beast
1991
Plays Jake Houseman
Dirty Dancing
1987
Plays Dr. Christopher Gregor
Universal Soldier
1992
Plays Sa'Luk (voice)
Aladdin and the King of Thieves
1996
Plays Lumiere (voice)
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
1997
Plays Ronny Donziger
Out for Justice
1991
Plays Lumiere (voice)
Belle's Magical World
1998
Plays Charley Pegler
Brewster's Millions
1985
Plays Nicholas DeFranco
F/X
1986
Plays Jack Rosenthal
Crimes and Misdemeanors
1989
Plays Clifton Byers
Mastergate
1992
Plays Michael Dayton
The Sentinel
1977
Plays Lt. Garber
Someone to Watch Over Me
1987
Plays Lou Sherwood
Delirious
1991
Plays Lumiere (voice)
Belle's Tales of Friendship
1999
Plays Boyce
Last Exit to Brooklyn
1989
Plays Larry
Delusion
1991
Plays Stan Walton
A Gnome Named Gnorm
1991
Plays Gus Levy
Prince of the City
1981
Plays Kid Sally
The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight
1971
Plays Mr. Bartoli
Dead Women in Lingerie
1991
Plays Milo Jacoby
Straight Talk
1992
Plays Waltz Contest Announcer
Manna from Heaven
2002
Plays Jerry Lorsey
Fore Play
1975
Plays King Thorn (voice)
The Magic of Herself the Elf
1983
Plays Phil Gussman
Mr. Saturday Night
1992
Plays Leo
I Love N.Y.
1987
Plays Pinkerton
John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!
1965
Plays Jake Manheim
Chinese Coffee
2000
Plays Lumiere (voice)
Disney Princess Sing Along Songs, Vol. 2 - Enchanted Tea Party
2005
Plays Joe Clegg
Mad Dog Coll
1961
Plays Businessman
Prince of Central Park
2000
Plays Spicer
Love Among Thieves
1987
Plays Herbert Penlittle
Underground Aces
1981
Plays Mumzer
Cop Hater
1958
Plays Fred Exley
A Fan's Notes
1972
TV Shows
Plays Frank Lehrman
Law & Order
1990
Plays Lumiere (voice)
Disney's House of Mouse
2001
Plays Harry McGraw
Murder, She Wrote
1984
Plays Lennie Briscoe
Homicide: Life on the Street
1993
Plays Lennie Briscoe
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
2005
Plays Brubaker
Kojak
1973
Plays Mort Viner
Out on a Limb
1987
Plays Homer 'Arsenal' Andrews
Love, American Style
1969
Plays Glen
The Golden Girls
1985
Plays Lars Mangros
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
1979
Plays Mitch (voice)
Frasier
1993
Plays Sal Scarlatti
Hunter
1984
Plays Lennie Briscoe
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
2001
Plays Cameron
The Hitchhiker
1983
Plays J.P. Loring
The Defenders
1961
Plays Roberts
Tales from the Darkside
1984
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Chinese Coffee
Full Filmography
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
Lennie Briscoe · 2 episodes
2005
TV
Disney Princess Sing Along Songs, Vol. 2 - Enchanted Tea Party
Lumiere (voice)
2005
Film
Manna from Heaven
Waltz Contest Announcer
2002
Film
Disney's House of Mouse
Lumiere (voice) · 8 episodes
2001
TV
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Lennie Briscoe · 1 episode
2001
TV
Prince of Central Park
Businessman
2000
Film
Chinese Coffee
Jake Manheim
2000
Film
Homicide: Life on the Street
Lennie Briscoe · 3 episodes
1995–1999
TV
Belle's Tales of Friendship
Lumiere (voice)
1999
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jerry Orbach still alive?
Jerry Orbach passed away on December 28, 2004 at age 69.
What are the most famous roles of Jerry Orbach?
Jerry Orbach is best known for roles in Beauty and the Beast, Dirty Dancing, Aladdin and the King of Thieves.
How many movies has Jerry Orbach been in?
Over a 49-year career (since 1955), Jerry Orbach has appeared in 45 movies and 16 TV shows.
What was Jerry Orbach's first movie?
The career of Jerry Orbach began with Marty (1955).
What is Jerry Orbach's most recent movie or series?
Jerry Orbach's most recent release is Disney Princess Sing Along Songs, Vol. 2 - Enchanted Tea Party, which premiered on September 6, 2005.
What TV shows has Jerry Orbach appeared in?
On television, Jerry Orbach has appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Frasier, Law & Order, Murder, She Wrote.
Jerry Orbach
1935-10-20 · New York City, New York, USA
Jerome Bernard Orbach (October 20, 1935 – December 28, 2004) was an American actor and singer. He is best known for his role as Detective Lennie Briscoe in the series Law & Order (1992–2004) and as the voice of Lumière in Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1991), as well as for being a noted musical theatre star; his prominent roles included originating the character of El Gallo in The Fantasticks, the longest-running musical play in history, as Chuck Baxter in the original production of Promises, Promises (for which he won a Tony Award), Julian Marsh in 42nd Street, and Billy Flynn in the original production of Chicago.Jerry Orbach, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.