Jerry Orbach

I am listening to Carnival, Chicago 1975, Peimises Promises (original).

I get nostalgic every time I hear Mr Orbach sings and sad at same time because I miss him. "What Do You Get When You Fall In Love" brings me back to my childhood and his voice so perfect.... and there is something so graceful about his singing that it touches me.

I did not follow him on TV. He seems like a nice man, a gentleman and a true Broadway legend. I also like his "Try To Remember " and again touches me in a most uplifting way.

To many of you who had seen him performed, it must have been wonderful. As a kid my father used to play LP of Promises and Promises and Carnival.

I also am enjoying his Billy Flynn. He is a natural performer.

Thank you.

SamIAm said: "I had the privilege of seeing him do The Fantasticks and Promises, Promises. I always got a chuckle out of the conversations I had with people once Lawn & Order came on. Why is it that TV viewers always assume that an artist's history started with the TV show they know. People would say, 'I didn't know he could sing.' You still hear that today about other Broadway talent that have transitioned to TV. Orbach as a force and, he managed to pursue his career without being a jerk to the people around him."

Yup. It seems to me he is well loved and liked in the theater community. I read somewhere too that the corner of 53rd and 8th is named after his name. (I soon will visit that area on my next NYC visit). As well as the theater where the Fantastiks played.

I vividly remember not only my personal sadness when Jerry Orbach died, but the personal tributes paid to him by both stage and TV performers who had shared the stage or set with him. He seemed to be one of those few people who were truly beloved by all who knew him. The words gentle, kind and sweet are the words that come to mind, in addition, of course, to extraordinarily talented.

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You could search for years among people in movies, TV and theater and never find a single person who would offer anything other than the highest praise about him. Just read some of the eulogies given by his friends and fellow actors at the memorial they held for him at the Richard Rodgers Theatre a few months after his passing. Generous with his time, talent and support, he was the person the word "mensch" was created for. Hard to believe he'll have been gone 15 years in December.

Updated On: 5/10/19 at 10:04 PM