MUMBAI: Actor Jerry Orbach who starred in US broadcaster NBC's courtroom drama Law and Order, has died of prostate cancer.

He died in Manhattan after several weeks of treatment. In India Law And Order airs on Star World.

Orbach had recently left Law and Order after 12 series to work on spin-off Law and Order: Trial by Jury playing the same character, Lennie Briscoe.

NBC has announced that it will still introduce the new spin off. In a statement NBC Universal, chairman and CEO Bob Wright said, "We are saddened by the passing of the legendary Jerry Orbach, who had an unforgettable presence on stage and screen for more than forty years.

"He was a man of extraordinary talents and personal grace. Suzanne and I and all of us at NBC Universal will miss him, as will his countless fans. Our hearts go out to Jerry's wife, Elaine, and to his family and friends on their loss."

Orbach appeared in the cult 1980's dance film Dirty Dancing. He also voiced the cheery candelabra Lumiere in 1991's Oscar-nominated Beauty and the Beast. He also starred in Woody Allen's film Crimes and Misdemeanors.

For his work in Law And Order Orbach was once nominated for an Emmy. He was also nominated seven times for the Screen Actors Guild awards as a part of the show's ensemble.