Wow. This is shocking news. Orbach announced earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but he also said he was undergoing treatment and that it would not affect his new job as an actor on the upcoming new L&O series TRIAL BY JURY. What we didn't know is that his illness was much more serious than he let on, that in fact he was first diagnosed a decade ago.

Obviously Orbach was a brilliant stage actor who made a mark of sorts in films (DIRTY DANCING, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), but his long run as the sardonic Lennie Briscoe on LAW & ORDER made him one of television's most beloved stars. I'm very sorry to hear this news.

I haven't heard yet whether he had shot any scenes for TRIAL BY JURY or whether they would be used if so, much less whether any of the L&O shows will write out the Briscoe character.

Jerry Orbach dead at 69

Wow, that is very sad to hear. I think the first thing I saw Orbach in that made an impact on me was F/X where he played the mafia boss that Bryan Brown was helping protect. He was one of those faces who would always pop up and will be missed.

Wow, this is really sad. It's like the end of an era...

I hope they do something on LAW & ORDER with his character to address this and pay tribute to Jerry's incredibly long run on the show.

Vincent

I first remember Orbach in PRINCE OF THE CITY. He completely blew me away in that film. He will be greatly missed.

I first saw him in GANG THAT COULDNT SHOOT STRAIGHT and enjoyed his lead role very much, of course, he was overshadowed by DeNiro, always wanted to see his only other lead in a movie, FANS NOTE, a obscure Warner bros. film he did in 1972.