He has a DS connection as well. He was in the original Broadway company of Promises, Promises with DS's own Amanda Harris, Donna McKechnie.
Thanks, Minja. I didn't know that.
His DS connection is even stronger. A friend mentioned that he was in the 70s movie "The Sentinel" with Robert Gerringer.
Also, I've mentioned once or twice that I'm a
Law & Order fan
(I'm patiently waiting for an L&O Channel, heh), and the DS alums who appeared in episodes during the time JO was on the show include Dana Elcar, Gail Strickland, Abe Vigoda, Michael Maguire, George DiCenzo, David Groh (2), Florence Stanley, and Vince O'Brien (recurring) from the original series; Roy Thinnes (2), Barbara Blackburn, Jim Fyfe, and Joanna Going from the revival series; and Blair Brown from the pilot. Granted, not all appeared on screen with him-- examples are Groh and O'Brien, who played judges, and Blair Brown, who was an attorney-- and I'm not picturing in my mind that Orbach had any courtroom scenes with them. I also may have forgotten somebody, but hey, that I can recall this much is scary enough.