I read with interest that Jerry Orbach's widow is trying to get a New York City corner named after him. I don't know nuthin' 'bout no big city corners, but I say to Community Board 5, which is blocking the attempt, "Stand aside! I want to walk down Jerry Orbach Lane!"
American fame is fickle. No big news there. Still, I hate how certain artists--real artists--find themselves pigeonholed by a single role when something gets big.
Orbach is one of the best examples of this in recent memory. He died in 2004, best remembered as that guy on Law and Order, but he was a Broadway legend, creating the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago (the role Richard Gere played in the movie) and starring in the original production of the Fantasticks. (There are some great YouTube videos of him here and here. Isn't his voice just great? It sounds like he could sing all frickin' day!) But to most of us, Jerry Orbach was just Lennie--or maybe, if they reach back, Baby's father in Dirty Dancing. There's no denying it, he was great in Law and Order, but what a travesty that he isn't better known for all of the other amazing work he did.
And how about Angela Lansbury? You know, the Murder She Wrote lady? Gaaah! She was nominated for two Academy Awards before she even turned 21, not to mention creating one of the creepiest-ever roles on Broadway, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd AND being the original Mame AND tackling the role of Mama Rose in Gypsy. Moreover, she's still working today! She'll be starring in Terrence McNally's new play on Broadway in May, and she's 81 years old. May she live to be 172, because I just can't bear the thought of the tribute articles to Jessica Fletcher.
I'm always glad to see stars break out of their confines. George Clooney has done a great job with this. For the first few years after he left ER, I couldn't see him in anything without thinking, "Yeah, OK, whatever, Doug. Now go back to Chicago." But once he took on O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the curse was lifted. ER who?
By the way, is it obvious that I'm plugging my ears and singing "LALALALALALA!" rather than reading news about the body passing for our Montana State Legislature? I can't even bear to think about it, much less write cogent posts.