Jerry Orbach - A Special Everyman

I was a frustrated schoolgirl during the MACK & MABEL concert & at this year's Show Stoppers Concert. I was bouncing up & down, applauding wildly for him. I sat in the 2nd or 3rd row just off center. When Jerry sang "Try To Remember" dressed in (I think) a black shirt ala El Gallo, I melted & screamed bravo 'til I was hoarse [yes, that was me]. I could see the joy on his face as he sang & it really touched me.

When I was a kid, 1 of my first summer stock roles was as Luisa. I must have listened to the cast recording a thousand times. His was a voice that could always be recognized. There are musicals on Bway today that could well benefit from having a character cast with a warm bariton voice like Jerry's. (What has become of the Broadway Bariton?)

I met Jerry & his lovely wife Elaine Cancilla a few times. My director, Margery Beddow, was friends with them. The last time was at Danny's Skylight Room at a friend's show. He was a regular guy with a special air surrounding him that drew people to his side. I never noticed a "star attitude". If you can imagine me tongue-tied, it was in his presence.

I can't add anything about his career that hasn't already been mentioned, except to say that in my secret heart, I always hoped he'd come back to Broadway. Other than having seen him twice in 42nd Street and in the concerts mentioned, I didn't get to see Jerry perform live on stage.

I loved watching him as a PI in Murder She Wrote & in L&O. There was a brief spin-off of MSW called "The Law and Harry McGraw". Didn't every girl wish they had a cool dad like Jerry Orbach in "Dirty Dancing"...

Even as I type this misty-eyed, I can't believe he's gone. It seems sad beyond words....

Milla

I haven't posted here or on any other boards up till now because I just wasn't ready to put my thoughts on paper and I guess I'm still not.

I saw Orbach in the original Fantasticks and in Promises, Promises and though I was happy to see him get a TV gig...I missed him on the stage...just as I miss other Broadway actors who don't have the time now to do theater (but are doubtless making a better living -- that's another story)

But, Jerry was something special. He was always charming and kind and when I would see him filming around 57th street, he would often stop to talk to fans who approached him. A real gentleman and very much an 'everyman'.

His performances were always on the money and he had a very relaxed but professional delivery of the lines he delivered and the songs he sang.

He will be missed...but not just as an actor...as a human being (and that is saying something). I can only hope that there will some young actors coming up to take his place who will be the same kind of role model and decent person.

We miss you already, Jerry!

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I'm only 18, so I never had the wonderful opportunity to see Jerry Orbach perform in person, but I grew up absolutely adoring the man. Like every normal child, I was addicted to "Beauty & the Beast" and watched ridiculous amounts of "Law & Order." As I got more and more into theatre, I had his recordings from "The Fantastiks," "Chicago," "42nd Street," and "Promises, Promises." When I heard the news yesterday, I was absolutely stunned - still am, to be quite honest. Like so many others, I cannot believe the man is gone. The press releases earlier in December said that he was doing fine... I just don't understand it. (And I cried all day yesterday. Jeez.) Does anyone know how I could send a note of condolence to his wife, the extremely talented Elaine Cancilla?

Thank you!

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