Actor Jerry Orbach, best known for his role on the long running television program, 'Law & Order' died today at the age of 69. The cause of death was prostate cancer.

Orbach had been diagnosed earlier this month but it was expected that he would recover. In fact, Orbach was scheduled to resume shooting a spinoff of 'Law & Order' called 'Law & Order: Trial by Jury' which was to debut next fall.

Besides the 12 year role at Detective Lennie Briscoe on 'Law & Order', Orbach also appeared in movies like 'Dirty Dancing,' 'Prince of the City' and 'Crimes and Misdemeanors.' He won a Tony Award for his performance in 'Promises, Promises.' Orbach was also in the original off-Broadway cast of the long running play 'The Fantasticks' and was nominated for an Emmy for a guest appearance he made on the television series, 'The Golden Girls.'

Orbach was a native of the Bronx and was married to actress Elaine Cancilla. Funeral plans had not yet been made public.