Det. Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach)

***John*** · 11-02-2002, 11:33 AM

Jerry
Orbach
as Det. Lennie Briscoe

Tony Award winner Jerry Orbach (“Promises, Promises”) has earned a reputation as the quintessential New Yorker through his work in such films as “Prince of the City” and “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” as well as for his roles in Broadway’s “42nd Street” and on NBC’s “Law & Order.” Orbach has been honored with the Crystal Apple Award from the New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Television and Broadcasting for his contribution to the arts, and was presented with a lifetime achievement award from the Friar’s Club of New York.

In addition to these honors, the 1999-2000 season of “Law & Order” brought additional recognition to Orbach in the form of a third Emmy Award nomination -- his first as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series -- for his portrayal of Detective Briscoe.

The versatile actor’s many motion-picture credits include “Dirty Dancing,” “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “F/X.” He is also well remembered as the voice of Lumiere, the candelabra, in the animated feature “Beauty and the Beast.” He most recently co-starred with Al Pacino in “Chinese Coffee,” which Pacino also produced and directed.

Orbach’s other television credits include starring in the series “The Law and Harry McGraw,” as well as guest appearances on NBC’s “The Golden Girls,” “Hunter,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Who’s the Boss?” He earned previous Emmy nominations for his work on “Empty Nest” and Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound.”

After studying acting at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University, Orbach made his first New York stage appearance in Kurt Weill’s “The Threepenny Opera” as Mack the Knife. Last year, he served as host of the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s month-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Weill’s birth. In 1960, Orbach created the role of El Gallo in the off-Broadway milestone “The Fantasticks.” He went on to make his Broadway debut in David Merrick’s production of “Carnival,” and received his first Tony Award nomination for the City Center revival of “Guys and Dolls.” Additionally, Orbach won rave reviews for his virtuoso performance in Bruce Jay Friedman’s “Scuba Duba,” received a Tony Award for “Promises, Promises,” and starred in “6 Rms Riv Vu” and “Chicago.” He also toured for nine months in the national company of Neil Simon’s “Chapter Two.”

Orbach can also be seen on the PAX network hosting “Encounters with the Unexplained,” a reality series featuring new insight and information about the world's great mysteries. The Bronx native lives with his wife, Elaine, in New York City. His birthday is October 20.

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Modesty · 11-02-2002, 03:16 PM

This is another good character played well. I just can't help thinking that he looks like someone straight out of a Humphrey Bogart movie - which is kind of neat though

.

***John*** · 11-02-2002, 03:28 PM

I really like this guy. He's excellent at playing the "been there, seen that" older cop, working with a younger, more hot-headed detective. He's like a better-dressed Columbo.

cali · 11-02-2002, 03:45 PM

Definitely a great character and actor. He is almost grumpy, but not to the point where he bugs me

I like that he's always partnered with a younger guy (first a hispanic, now an African American), he (Briscoe) has preconcieved notions, that cause for good TV.... Did any of that mae sense? I hope so

***John*** · 11-02-2002, 04:20 PM

It made sense, but technically, Benjamin Bratt is not hispanic, he's Peruvian..

At least, I think. I could be wrong. I'm still due at least one for this year.

Modesty · 11-02-2002, 04:25 PM

Your'e (almost) right John: (from imdb)
"The middle of five children, Bratt hails from a close-knit family. His mother, a Peruvian Indian from Lima, moved to the U.S. at age 14. He grew up in San Francisco"

cali · 11-02-2002, 06:50 PM

hee hee, I should have remembered that because my kids have a Peruvian father (From Lima) and an American Mother!
Geez... still consider him Hispanic though, as he speaks Spanish. What's the requirement anyway?

**fluff** · 11-02-2002, 09:32 PM

I like Jerry Orbach.
He's certainly become very recognisable as this character.
He turned up on SVU a few weeks back.
I like it when there in a crossover like that.

LG. · 11-04-2002, 03:04 PM

He does a good job and has been there for many seasons, as I think Chris Noth was actually his first partner on the series (Sex in the City's Mr. Big), before Benjamin Bratt started his stint on the show.

Does anyone remember ADA Claire Kincaid's last episode (Jill Hennesey)? It was set the night of the first execution under New York's new capital punishment law, and Briscoe, a recovering alcoholic, got in the bag and Claire was driving him home late at night and got T-boned by a drunk driver and killed. It was quite a dramatic departure from the show.

bbnbama · 01-28-2007, 04:08 AM

Link Here

The Eye-Bank encourages people to leave the gift of sight so that those who are waiting to receive cornea transplants can have their sight restored.

Jerry Orbach, who during his lifetime appeared in many acting roles in both television and on the stage, was an eye donor when he died and as a result saved two people from blindness. He joins more than 52,000 people who have left the gift of sight since The Eye-Bank was founded in 1944.

The public service campaign throughout the New York area is part of The Eye-Bank's public education program to reach the community and increase awareness about this urgent need for eye donors.

Almost anyone can be an eye donor. Even people who wear glasses. Enroll today to be an eye, organ and tissue donor. See what your eyes can do for others.

Sign up at www.eyedonation.org/sign.html or call 212-742-9000.

I'm a organ donor also (though ironically not my eyes!) What a great man he was...even after death! Class act all the way!!!

11-02-2002, 11:33 AM	#1
*John* The race is back! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: On the mat Age: 38 Posts: 40,426 Blog Entries: 1	Det. Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) Jerry Orbach as Det. Lennie Briscoe Tony Award winner Jerry Orbach (“Promises, Promises”) has earned a reputation as the quintessential New Yorker through his work in such films as “Prince of the City” and “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” as well as for his roles in Broadway’s “42nd Street” and on NBC’s “Law & Order.” Orbach has been honored with the Crystal Apple Award from the New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Television and Broadcasting for his contribution to the arts, and was presented with a lifetime achievement award from the Friar’s Club of New York. In addition to these honors, the 1999-2000 season of “Law & Order” brought additional recognition to Orbach in the form of a third Emmy Award nomination -- his first as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series -- for his portrayal of Detective Briscoe. The versatile actor’s many motion-picture credits include “Dirty Dancing,” “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “F/X.” He is also well remembered as the voice of Lumiere, the candelabra, in the animated feature “Beauty and the Beast.” He most recently co-starred with Al Pacino in “Chinese Coffee,” which Pacino also produced and directed. Orbach’s other television credits include starring in the series “The Law and Harry McGraw,” as well as guest appearances on NBC’s “The Golden Girls,” “Hunter,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Who’s the Boss?” He earned previous Emmy nominations for his work on “Empty Nest” and Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound.” After studying acting at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University, Orbach made his first New York stage appearance in Kurt Weill’s “The Threepenny Opera” as Mack the Knife. Last year, he served as host of the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s month-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Weill’s birth. In 1960, Orbach created the role of El Gallo in the off-Broadway milestone “The Fantasticks.” He went on to make his Broadway debut in David Merrick’s production of “Carnival,” and received his first Tony Award nomination for the City Center revival of “Guys and Dolls.” Additionally, Orbach won rave reviews for his virtuoso performance in Bruce Jay Friedman’s “Scuba Duba,” received a Tony Award for “Promises, Promises,” and starred in “6 Rms Riv Vu” and “Chicago.” He also toured for nine months in the national company of Neil Simon’s “Chapter Two.” Orbach can also be seen on the PAX network hosting “Encounters with the Unexplained,” a reality series featuring new insight and information about the world's great mysteries. The Bronx native lives with his wife, Elaine, in New York City. His birthday is October 20.

11-02-2002, 03:45 PM	#4
cali Soccer Kicks Balls Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: right behind you Age: 41 Posts: 15,258	Definitely a great character and actor. He is almost grumpy, but not to the point where he bugs me I like that he's always partnered with a younger guy (first a hispanic, now an African American), he (Briscoe) has preconcieved notions, that cause for good TV.... Did any of that mae sense? I hope so __________________ "Rice is great when you're hungry and want 2,000 of something' -- Mitch Hedberg

11-02-2002, 06:50 PM	#7
cali Soccer Kicks Balls Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: right behind you Age: 41 Posts: 15,258	hee hee, I should have remembered that because my kids have a Peruvian father (From Lima) and an American Mother! Geez... still consider him Hispanic though, as he speaks Spanish. What's the requirement anyway? __________________ "Rice is great when you're hungry and want 2,000 of something' -- Mitch Hedberg

11-02-2002, 09:32 PM	#8
fluff Why can't we just rewind? Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 40,404	I like Jerry Orbach. He's certainly become very recognisable as this character. He turned up on SVU a few weeks back. I like it when there in a crossover like that. __________________ "That's Numberwang!"

11-04-2002, 03:04 PM	#9
LG. perfectly pugnacious Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Whack-a-Mole Posts: 13,444	He does a good job and has been there for many seasons, as I think Chris Noth was actually his first partner on the series (Sex in the City's Mr. Big), before Benjamin Bratt started his stint on the show. Does anyone remember ADA Claire Kincaid's last episode (Jill Hennesey)? It was set the night of the first execution under New York's new capital punishment law, and Briscoe, a recovering alcoholic, got in the bag and Claire was driving him home late at night and got T-boned by a drunk driver and killed. It was quite a dramatic departure from the show. __________________ Signature line? We don't need no stinkin' signature line.

11-02-2002, 03:16 PM	#2
Modesty Princess Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wonderland Posts: 2,777	This is another good character played well. I just can't help thinking that he looks like someone straight out of a Humphrey Bogart movie - which is kind of neat though .

11-02-2002, 03:28 PM	#3
*John* The race is back! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: On the mat Age: 38 Posts: 40,426 Blog Entries: 1	I really like this guy. He's excellent at playing the "been there, seen that" older cop, working with a younger, more hot-headed detective. He's like a better-dressed Columbo.

11-02-2002, 04:20 PM	#5
*John* The race is back! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: On the mat Age: 38 Posts: 40,426 Blog Entries: 1	It made sense, but technically, Benjamin Bratt is not hispanic, he's Peruvian.. At least, I think. I could be wrong. I'm still due at least one for this year.

11-02-2002, 04:25 PM	#6
Modesty Princess Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wonderland Posts: 2,777	Your'e (almost) right John: (from imdb) "The middle of five children, Bratt hails from a close-knit family. His mother, a Peruvian Indian from Lima, moved to the U.S. at age 14. He grew up in San Francisco"

01-28-2007, 04:08 AM	#10
bbnbama Thank You America! U Rock Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: In my own little world where all things are Idol...... Age: 42 Posts: 10,369	Link Here The Eye-Bank encourages people to leave the gift of sight so that those who are waiting to receive cornea transplants can have their sight restored. Jerry Orbach, who during his lifetime appeared in many acting roles in both television and on the stage, was an eye donor when he died and as a result saved two people from blindness. He joins more than 52,000 people who have left the gift of sight since The Eye-Bank was founded in 1944. The public service campaign throughout the New York area is part of The Eye-Bank's public education program to reach the community and increase awareness about this urgent need for eye donors. Almost anyone can be an eye donor. Even people who wear glasses. Enroll today to be an eye, organ and tissue donor. See what your eyes can do for others. Sign up at www.eyedonation.org/sign.html or call 212-742-9000. I'm a organ donor also (though ironically not my eyes!) What a great man he was...even after death! Class act all the way!!! __________________ Reality is the beginning...not the end....Wallace Stevens