Midtown Soon to be Home to Jerry Orbach Street

The New York Times reports that New Yorkers will soon be strolling down a street named after Broadway legend and TV star Jerry Orbach.

"Elaine (Orbach), who has campaigned for several weeks to have a Midtown street corner renamed for her husband...After failing last month to persuade the members of Community Board 5 to support her quest, Mrs. Orbach looked westward across Eighth Avenue to Community Board 4. She was able to do that because the intersection she wanted renamed, where 53rd Street crosses Eighth Avenue, straddles the border of the two districts," according to the article. 

Although Board 4, which has "sworn off the New York tradition of ceremonially renaming streets, blocks and corners for dead celebrities and fallen heroes," was at first resistant, Orbach's widow won out at last night's meeting as the board reconsidered the proposal and voted in favor.  Although the street is not yet official, as the City Council has the final say, the Council is known to almost always greenlight nominations from the Community Boards.

Orbach starred in numerous shows on Broadway and was later known to TV audiences for his work as Detective Lennie Briscoe on "Law & Order."  He originated roles in Carnival, Promises, Promises, 42nd Street, and Chicago. He also appeared on Broadway in Threepenny Opera, The Natural Look, the 1966 revival of Annie Get Your Gun, and the 1965 revival of Guys and Dolls, among others. He also originated the role of El Gallo in The Fantasticks.  His many other film and TV credits included "Murder, She Wrote," Crimes and Misdemeanors, Last Exit to Brooklyn and Brewster's Millions. Orbach passed away at the age of 69 on December 28th, 2004.