Jerry Orbach Gifted Organs to Improve Lives of 2 Women from His Hometown — His Greatest Role Was a Donor

Jerry Orbach kept his illness hidden while starring in "Law & Order." After he died, it was revealed that he'd donated some of his organs that managed to save lives even after he was gone.

According to 2019's Backstage in life, Jerry Orbach was someone who inspired admiration and love from the people who worked with him and those he knew. People who acted alongside him described him as a loyal friend, a trouper, and a good guy.

Suggest revealed in 2022 that Jerry kept his prostate cancer diagnosis a secret for most of his time acting on "Law & Order." His diagnosis happened in 1994, not long after joining the series.

The actor fought the disease for over a decade, meaning he'd been battling cancer for almost his whole time on the show. However, he didn't go public with his diagnosis, and people only found out weeks before his death.

When the show's creator, Dick Wolf, discovered Jerry's illness, he said they expected the actor to make a swift and complete recovery. Wolf revealed that they would work around his schedule while the actor was undergoing treatment.

In February 2005, the New York Post shared how Jerry's last appearance was on the second episode of the spinoff, "Law & Order: Trial by Jury." After being in the business for a lifetime, the star's last words were, "They got him!"

The utterance came after a police officer killer was convicted close to the end of the episode. The publication noted how the actor had to raise his voice to say his last line despite having weakness from his ongoing cancer treatment.

Sadly, Jerry didn't have long to live and lost his fight against the severe disease. Below we look at when and how the legendary actor passed away and how his last actions affected two strangers.

Jerry's Heartbreaking but Quiet Battle with Cancer

The news that Jerry was battling prostate cancer came out in December 2004. At the time, his manager Robert Malcolm informed the New York Daily News what the hopes for the actor were and how he was doing, stating:

"We expect he'll be fine. He's been playing golf, shooting his episodes, and doing real well."

The star died on December 28, 2004, at age 69, from cancer in Manhattan. In 1958, the actor tied the knot with Marta Curro, his Threepenny Opera castmate, and they welcomed two sons, Anthony and Christopher "Chris" Orbach.

By 1975, the couple had divorced, and four years later, Jerry married another actress Elaine Cancilla. Upon his death, Cancilla and his sons were the ones who survived him.

Unlike others, the iconic star had made provisions for what he wanted to be done with some of his organs before he died. He even once explained why he'd decided to donate them.

Why Did Jerry Donate His Organs?

In January 2009, Daily News reported that Jerry had given the world one last gift before passing away. The late star's generosity meant two women would see the world through his eyes!

In December 2004, just before his death, the actor donated his eyes to locals! The Broadway star's donation meant the two women were able to receive new corneas, with Cancilla recalling how that came about, stating:

"I cannot remember a day that went by where he didn't say, 'I want to donate my eyes.'"

According to his widow, the Bronx native didn't donate any other organs. Despite being close to 70, she recalled how Jerry never wore eyeglasses and could practically read in the dark.

Cancilla revealed how "proud" her late husband had been of his "wonderful vision." The star who played Detective Lennie Briscoe on "Law & Order" for 12 seasons was the ideal face for Eye Bank for Sight Restoration's donor-recruitment campaign.

Noel Mick, the organization's spokeswoman, said Jerry was perfect for the role because he'd "appealed to people." Mick hoped the coverage would increase their much-needed monetary donations in New York.

She [Elaine Cancilla] believed he [Jerry Orbach] was happy about the outcome as it had been his wish.

The organization's spokeswoman then revealed how donor banks required between 1,100 and 1,200 annual donors. Television and radio announcements for the eye bank were ironically voiced by Chris, one of Jerry's sons.

The announcements started in 2006, and the print versions were run in the Daily News. In January 2007, people using the train could see Subway adverts from the donor bank.

Jerry's widow revealed that the people who got the eye donations was a woman who needed a nearsighted eye and one who required a farsighted one. Cancilla jokingly wondered if the women suddenly had overwhelming urges to watch "Law & Order" or to sing "42nd Street!"

The late actor's wife questioned, "What greater gift than if you must pass this world: that if something is still working, to give [it] to somebody who doesn't have a chance?" She believed he was happy about the outcome as it had been his wish.

Although Jerry was once dubbed a "living landmark" for his long-term role as Briscoe. The actor was also well-known for his roles in Broadway musicals like the musical "Promises, Promises."

There he sang the title song and starred in "What Do Get When You Fall in Love," including other Burt Bacharach-Hal David shows. The star was also in the original production of "42nd Street."

There Jerry sang "The Lullaby of Broadway." In 1969, the late actor won a Tony Award for his role in "Promises, Promises," but he also got nominations for his appearances in "Guys and Dolls" and "Chicago."

Jerry's roles weren't as steady on the big screen, but they weren't any less memorable. In 1981, he featured in Sidney Lumet's "Prince of the City," in 1986, he was in "F/X," and the following year, he was in "Dirty Dancing."

The late star also got to be the voice of Lumiere in Disney's 1991 animation of "Beauty and the Beast." The talented artist sang "Be Our Guest" as he invited Belle into the Beast's castle.