Orbach announced earlier this month that he was being treated for the cancer. He left the hit show "Law & Order" after 12 seasons to star in a spinoff scheduled to premiere in March. 

Orbach got his start in show business on Broadway. Best know for his role as Billy Flynn in "Chicago" and for his Tony award winning role in "Promises, Promises," he was also in the original cast of "42nd Street," as well as in the cast of "Carousel" and "Annie Get Your Gun.". Broadway theaters planned to dim their lights on Wednesday night to honor Orbach. 

Orbach was a veteran of the big screen as well, with memorable roles in "Prince of the City," "Crimes and Misdemeanors" and "Dirty Dancing".  "Law & Order" creator and producer Dick Wolf called Orbach "a legendary figure of 20th century show business, who was a star of screen, stage and television." 

Orbach was also the voice behind the Academy Award-nominated song "Be Our Guest" from Disney's 1991 version of "Beauty and the Beast". 

According to reports, Orbach had filmed two or three episodes of the new "Law & Order: Trial By Jury," and those episodes are expected to run when the series premiers in March on NBC. 

Orbach is survived by his wife, Elaine, and two sons. 
 
 

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