Jerry Orbach was born in the Bronx, New York, to a family that was constantly on the move. His father, Leon Orbach, was a German Jewish immigrant who was born in Hamburg, Germany, and had a background in vaudeville acting. His mother, Emily (nee Olexy),was a radio singer born in Pennsylvania to Polish-Lithuanian Roman Catholic parents. As a result of the frequent moves, Orbach spent part of his childhood in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, and eventually settled in Waukegan, Illinois, where he attended high school.
The constant moving made Orbach the new kid on the block, forcing him to develop a chameleon-like ability to blend in with his new surroundings. He went on to study drama at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University, before moving to New York to pursue a career in acting. He quickly found work in musicals, but gradually began to seek out acting roles in television and film, overcoming the initial skepticism he faced due to his musical background.
Tragically, Orbach passed away at the age of 69 on December 28, 2004, after a decade-long battle with prostate cancer. His widow, Elaine Cancilla Orbach, predeceased him on April 1, 2009, due to pneumonia. Both Orbach and his widow were survived by his mother, Emily Orbach, who lived to the age of 101, passing away on July 28, 2012.
