Gothamist: Orbach's Son Accuses Stepmom of "Shucking Out" Jerry's Eyes

celtink

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:39:00 -0500

It amazes me that there are so many uninformed, unsympathetic morons crawling out of the woodwork to keep posting trash talk here about Chris. Get a life people and while you're at it....think the next time before you cast that stone. I am just disgusted by you all.

NannyState

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:03:43 -0500

Oedipus Equus?

seeker

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:24:19 -0500

Chris Orbach responds: (from www.chrisorbach.com) "The events resulting from the NY Post story on august 10th have been traumatic to say the least. While I don't deny writing the things I wrote, the letter in question was PERSONAL, and PRIVATE, and NEVER meant for public view. It was leaked without my knowledge or consent by a family friend I thought I could trust. I was wrong. Those comments, in the heat of the emotional time that they were made, were never meant to be seen publicly. If one looks at the letter in its entirety (instead of the most salacious portions, which, regrettably, the New York Post chose to emphasize) you'll see that it was intended as nothing more than an explanation as to why I no longer wanted to be in contact with my stepmother. You'll also see that the gripes I did have were more about being shut out of dad's legacy at the personal level than the monetary one. I made it very clear at the end of the letter that I didn't want a dime from her. I also want it known that the particularly graphic comments about how I felt about my father's organ donation (which were used to great effect by the Post's editorial staff) had only to do with having to leave my father's deathbed in what seemed to be "in a hurry". My brother and I had no idea about this plan for him to donate his eyes. One minute you're crying at your deceased father's bedside, and only THEN you find out about this, and have to leave. It was just unsettling at the time. On principle, I have no negative feelings about organ donation whatsoever. It just would have been nice to have been told about it before it happened. In any event, the letter reflected my private feelings about an unfortunate situation. I won't try to take back or disown those feelings, but I do apologize for any harm that their being revealed at the public level may have caused anyone, as this was never -- ever -- my intent."

Whammo

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:51:43 -0500

When I die I am donating my eyes to Stevie Wonder.

Spiritof76

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:29:37 -0500

What's the big deal? It's not like Orbach was going to need his eyes anymore. It gets mighty dark in a closed coffin. I'd like to think he made the decision on his own out of the kindness of his heart, a concept Chris doesn't seem to understand.

Tulane75

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:00:03 -0500

I have always liked Jerry Orbach as an actor, but liked him even more after learning more about his background and career. Life is too short for family disputes like this and it is sad indeed to read about it.

r_friend

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:30:42 -0500

"Shuck his eyes out". There goes my appetite.

cucarachita

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:23:29 -0500

Personally, I wouldn't leave my kids a dime unless they were suffering from some sort of disability. And I'd leave my knees to the needy.

cucarachita

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:02:23 -0500

Obviously this kid is spoiled and was hoping to not have to lift a finger to make his own money in his adulthood. I bet his father knew he was banking on that money, and that's why he left the money in the hands of his wife. He worked hard for his money, why shouldn't his kids work hard too? As I see it, nobody's obliged to make it so their kids won't have to find their own vocation and work at it, like everyone else.

celtink

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:52:57 -0500

Let's be fair people, not every child of a deceased parent gets upset over the way the will was handled just because they're spoiled rotten rich kids looking for easy street. Often times it's more the anger over someone getting the money who doesn't deserve it...like a manipulative spouse for example. I mean why is the stepmom getting zero flack here? Is she any less innocent just because she was handed full control of his estate and doesn't have to argue over being cut out? Point is, you don't know the facts here. She may very well have orchestrated the kids not getting a penny until she dies which isn't fair. They're grown adults, not young children who need someone to watch over their inheritance for them. Maybe their trusts aren't secure so they only get it if she doesn't blow it all before she dies. I'd be pissed too. That isn't fair and I'm sure their dad didn't intend for them to not benefit from all his years of hard work. As for his eyes...I bet they're less upset over their dad's donation of them, but more because they weren't told and had to find out shortly after he passed when someone interrupted them grieving over him to remove them. I think it would set most people off in the moment. As for who leaked his personal letter to her....my guess is she or her lawyers did in attempt to paint the guy in a bad light to better support her position as keeper of the estate. Which only makes me think less of her and her character.

nicemarmot

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:14:23 -0500

Typical scum children want money when their parent dies. Oh and they object to his eyes being donated too. What, do they want 'em back? Gonna keep 'em hanging from your rearview mirror or what? Guess what jerks: If your parent dies, and is married to someone alive, they get the money! Not you.

ANGRYGOD11

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:50:21 -0500

Does junior want the eyeballs back? I didn't think so.

edisdead

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:39:12 -0500

that story was in sunday's post, not today's.

Toby von Meistersinger

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:33:04 -0500

Sounds like the makings for a good Law & Order episode.