Jerry Orbach

Jerry Orbach, former star of NBC's Law & Order as well as a noted Broadway performer, has passed away at age 69, of prostate cancer. I don't do many entertainment postings, but Orbach was one of my favorites. I've loved the show ever since day one, and Orbach played his 12-year role beautifully--gruff but compassionate, with a wry wit. I haven't seen very many episodes this season, when Dennis Franz replaced Orbach, but even as much as I like Franz I doubt if the show will ever really be the same.