Elaine Cancilla Orbach

Elaine Cancilla Orbach (January 19, 1940 – April 1, 2009) was an American stage and musical theatre actress and dancer.

Career

Orbach, known professionally as Elaine Cancilla, appeared on Broadway and Off Broadwayin productions including: Fiorello!, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Here's Love, Flora the Red Menace, Sweet Charity and Cry for Us All.

Private life

In 1979 she married actor Jerry Orbach, a star on stage and later of film and television (Law & Order). They met several years earlier while appearing together in the original Broadway theatre production of the Kander & Ebb musical, Chicago.

They also co-starred in a touring production of Neil Simon's play, Chapter Two.

Following his death in 2004, she petitioned to have a portion of 53rd Street at Eighth Avenue, in New York City's Theater District (and near his long-time home), renamed "Jerry Orbach Way"; it was rechristened in 2007.

Death

She died on April 1, 2009, at age 69, from pneumonia in a hospital in New York City.

In addition to her two stepsons from her husband's first marriage, she is survived by her sister, Rita Hubbard; her brother, Robert Cancilla; and several nieces and nephews. She was also survived by two step grandchildren named Peter and Sarah Kate Orbach who are the children of her older stepson, Tony Orbach. Her younger stepson, Chris Orbach, is married with one son, Aaron who was born long after Elaine's passing.