Angie Harmon Recalls Singing ‘Be Our Guest’ with Jerry Orbach on “Law & Order ”Set on What Would Have Been Actor’s 91st Birthday

On what would have been Jerry Orbach’s 91st birthday, actress Angie Harmon reminisced about the late actor, recalling their time together on the iconic television series *Law & Order*. Orbach, who had garnered acclaim for voicing Lumière in Disney’s beloved *Beauty and the Beast*, sadly passed away from cancer in December 2004 at the age of 69.

Harmon, now 54, portrayed assistant district attorney Abbie Carmichael from 1998 to 2001, during which she shared the screen with Orbach, who played the character Detective Lennie Briscoe. Their partnership on the show left a significant mark on Harmon, who expressed her fond memories in a post recalling her time with Orbach. On Tuesday, October 20, publicist Danny Deraney shared a touching clip on the social media platform Threads, which featured Orbach as he worked alongside the extraordinary Angela Lansbury to record the classic song “Be Our Guest”.

In the animated Disney film, Orbach lent his voice to Lumière, the charming candelabra, while Lansbury beautifully portrayed the teapot, Mrs. Potts. Responding to the shared clip, Harmon conveyed her surprise and delight as she remembered the moment when Orbach sang, “You can’t imagine my shock & joy after I had worked with Jerry for two years and one day he started singing as Lumière! I knew every word and after my shrills of happiness, I sang with him!! #LawAndOrder.”

Reflecting on his career, Orbach gave insight into the uniqueness of voice acting in a 1996 interview. He recounted an instance where a child approached him with a request to voice Lumière’s line. “One day a woman walked up to me with a little seven-year-old boy, and she said, ‘Would you do me a favour? Would you say “Oh please, Cogsworth, have a heart!”’” he recalled. Orbach willingly complied, bringing joy to the child who gasped with delight. “It’s very tough for little kids, to say. ‘No, that’s Lumière. That’s that little candlestick, you know, with flames.’ But it’s a side of performing that’s an awful lot of fun,” he added, illustrating his passion for engaging with young fans.

Orbach’s roots can be traced back to the Bronx, where he was born into a family that harboured show business aspirations. He began studying drama at Northwestern University, but financial constraints forced him to leave before completing his degree. Nevertheless, he soon found his calling, landing a role in the groundbreaking 1955 Greenwich Village production of *The Threepenny Opera*, where he eventually stepped into the lead role of Mack the Knife.

Throughout his illustrious career, Orbach enjoyed significant success on Broadway, starring in celebrated productions such as *Promises, Promises*—a musical that included his unforgettable performances of hits like the title song and “What Do You Get When You Fall in Love”—and the original run of *42nd Street*, where he sang “The Lullaby of Broadway.” His talent was recognised with a Tony Award in 1969 for his work in *Promises, Promises*, alongside a nomination for his performances in both *Chicago* and *Guys and Dolls*.

In a candid conversation with PEOPLE in 2000, Orbach shared his initial aspirations of becoming a serious film actor, akin to Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift. However, he encountered challenges from producers, who found his appearance unsuitable for leading roles. “They’d say, ‘Your nose is too big, your eyes are too droopy. You’re no Tyrone Power.’ But because I could sing, I kept getting jobs in musicals,” he reflected, finding a path in musical theatre despite his initial ambitions.

Although Orbach’s film career was sporadic, he delivered memorable performances in several notable films, including Sidney Lumet’s 1981 crime drama *Prince of the City*, the 1986 thriller *F/X*, and the universally adored 1987 film *Dirty Dancing*. Together, these roles contributed to a richly varied career that left an indelible mark on both television and film.

As Harmon commemorates Orbach’s legacy and the impact he had on her life, it serves as a reminder of the enduring influence of talent like his in the realm of entertainment. The heartfelt recollections from those who have worked alongside him underscore the warmth and depth of Orbach’s contributions to both the stage and screen, ensuring that his memory remains alive for fans and colleagues alike.