Orbach reportedly
leaving 'Law & Order'

Actor played Det. Lennie Briscoe
for 12 seasons on crime drama

Craig Blankenhorn / NBC file	Jerry Orbach is the longest-serving member of the current “Law & Order” cast members.

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By Nellie Andreeva

Hollywood Reporter

updated 11:32 a.m. ET March 26, 2004

LOS ANGELES - Is it time for the “Law & Order” troops to throw a goodbye party for Briscoe?

Sources say “Law & Order” veteran Jerry Orbach will depart Dick Wolf’s long-running crime drama at the end of the season after 12 years on the beat as wise-cracking Detective Lennie Briscoe. However, Orbach may still remain in business with Wolf with a role on the upcoming fourth installment of the franchise: “Law & Order: Trial by Jury.”

As for the flagship series, there is no word yet about a replacement for Orbach, but one scenario involves his character’s partner, Detective Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin), being promoted.

Story continues below ↓

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“’Law & Order’ has a 15-year track record of Dick Wolf never commenting on casting changes during the season,” a spokesman for the show said Thursday. Indeed, “Law & Order” has famously weathered many cast changes since it bowed in 1990. At present, Orbach is the longest-serving member of the current “Law & Order” cast members, having signed on during the show’s third season in 1992.