Crystal Bell: 'Revenge' Finale Recap: The Most Shocking Death Ever
BritChick Paris: I'm 38 and Want a Baby - Is it Too Late?
The late Jerry Orbach might be best remembered for roles such as tough New York detective Lennie Briscoe on "Law & Order" or the man who tries to put Baby in a corner in Dirty Dancing, but who knew that he was such a romantic?Over the course of their 25-year relationship, Jerry wrote love poems to his wife Elaine. Now they're compiled in 'Remember How I Love You: Love Letters From an Extraordinary Marriage.'
Jerry would leave the short-but-sweet notes next to her coffee cup so that she'd have a "good morning poem" when she woke up.
(His tough "Law & Order" shooting schedule often required him to come home when Elaine was asleep, and he'd still be sleeping when she was awake.)
When Jerry died in 2004, a family friend asked to read some of the poems at his memorial service, and that's where the idea for the book took shape. It's a collection of the notes and Elaine's memories of life with Jerry.
Elaine passed away earlier this year right after the book was completed.
Here are a few examples of Jerry's pithy poems. If they don't melt your cold, black heart, nothing will.
More links from around the web...
Well that sign really makes you want to rent this house...you have to read it to believe it. (Burbia) 
The top 10 things girls don't want to know about their boyfriend's ex. (AskMen)
The Godfather's fatal flaw (and 8 other character's who aren't as invulnerable as we thought). (Guyism)
Whether it's an emo swoop, a frat-boy spike or a the Mr. Clean, find out what his haircut says about him here. (Holy Taco)
Comments:
Add a comment
Tuesday 24 November
By Bob
Thanks for all the memories Jerry!. R.I.P.
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By Tish
OMG that was so beautiful! Who would have ever known or could have ever guessed he was such a romantic. Good men like him are extremely hard to find; far and few between.
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By Mitzi
When I was a grad student at Winthrop College (1972), the traveling company of "Promises, Promises" came to our theater on campus. The part of Mr. Baxter was played by a young Jerry Orbach and he brought down the house. I have loved him since then, and will be standing in line to buy this book.
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By Jean
To say I love you and mean it, is a gift beyond what most people today have really ever felt and understand. In our world where every thing and every one is disposable, the strength of a relationship such as Jerry and Elaine Orbach is extraordinary. Extraordinary, because they choose to love each other this way.
They choose not to be blinded to yet, too see beyond each other’s flaws and value the beautiful nugget within the each. Continuing to value and encourage their growth and change over time. Through the good, the hard, the precious beautiful moments and the times when the harshness of the storm feels as though it will never end and devour you, destroying your life as you know it. To love as this takes a grace and strength beyond that which most people are willing to even try to find within their selves today! Yet, to do so reap the rewards of a relationship that will be felt long after the other one of them has moved on to anther part of their journey.
Elaine Orbach knows the blessings a relationship that most of the rest of us have only dreamed of. May that love carry her through the rest of her journey here until her and Jerry are united once more.
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By Debi Tuccio
I watch very faithfully my favorite show
Law and Order, of course, with Lennie Briscoe
He played a tough cop
But he couldn't fool me
I saw something special
In Mr. Jerry
I cried when on heard on that cold winter day
that Jerry Orbach had died, to my great dismay.
Thank you, my friend, for your time on that show
You where a pleasure to watch, I just wanted you to know.
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By holly
And I can't even get a goodbye in the morning...
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By Thecutestkitty
I loved him as Lumiere, in Beauty and the Beast.
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By msfixit3325
I just read these little poems that Jerry wrote for his wife, Elaine. So sweet and touching. Yes, it's so rare to find an everlasting love like theirs was in the crazy "Hollywood" life style. I really loved his character and personality from the Law and Order series and his 'sense of humor' he always showed on the set. I was saddened when I learned he had passed. Now he and his wife are together again and I'm sure he's still writing her "lovenotes". Too bad, today's relationships can't be more like theirs.
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By Dave
Maybe some of us fellows will try our hand at romantic poetry. What will the result be? Those of us in a serious very long term relationship (37 years here) often get out of the habit of telling our wives that we love them. We don't have to write poetry, but we can tell them that we love them. C'mon fellows, nothing bad is going to happen, give it a try!
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By msfixit3325
That was a touching poem. Thx for the sentimental words.
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By gail
That is so sweet. Only the good die young....
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By Jed
I think it is stinking pretty corny.
Nt to be insensitive,but the poems in the mornng wuold get a little on he old sid. I like romance, but this goes over the top.
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By carolyncrackers
I had a wonderful husband like Jerry. No one ever knew that my husband was so romantic. I always had a feeling that Jerry was a very special person. I hope they continue their wonderful love affair in heaven.
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By msfixit3325
Oops! I meant to put your name in here Debi. Sorry for leaving that out. The poem wording was sweet.
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By Carole
Always liked Jerry Orbach; he seemed like a "regular guy" -
His wish to donate his eyes after death was a selfless gesture that allowed two people to have sight. I liked these notes to his wife. You can tell alot about a person from notes they might write to their spouse!!
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By Jackie
His poems may be little more than limericks, but what a wonderful sense of humor, hiding a deep, abiding love for his wife. I'll bet Elaine treasured each one, and re-read them often until her own death.
Ah, to only find a man as thoughtful -- not something I'm likely to do at 59!
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By Sheri
big fan of Law and Order and a bigger fan of Jerry's
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By dude
I hated that guy. He was ugly and I hated his stupid voice too.
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By Robin Bailey
My daughter and I simply adored Jerry, when he passed away you would have thought we were close personal friends as we wept in our memory of him, I first found him on"Murder She Wrote" and my daughter found him as a candlestick and as we grew up together we found our love for him grew even more as we watched "Dirty Dancing" and of course "Law and Order" What a wonderful man and an amazing actor but most of all a husband any woman would love and adore!! I just know they are dancing in Heaven and noone will put them in the corner!!
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By carole
jackie: don't give up; sometimes when you least expect it, that one special person will appear. ya never know.
Reply