Richard Belzer, a comedian and actor best known for playing Detective John Munch in several NBC crime dramas, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Homicide: Life on the Street, has died at the age of 78.
According to his manager Eric Gardner, Belzer died early on Sunday, February 19, at his home in France.
Bill Scheft, a writer and longtime friend of Belzer, said that he had “lots of health issues.”
In Memoriam 2022: 100 Great Celebrities Who Died In 2022
He made his film debut in the comedic satire The Groove Tube (1974) alongside Chevy Chase. The film contained skits that featured social commentary on television shows of the 70s.
He also served as the warm-up comedian for Saturday Night Live and made three guest appearances on the show in the late 70s.
As John Munch, Belzer played one of the most memorable cops in TV history. He first appeared on NBC’s...
According to his manager Eric Gardner, Belzer died early on Sunday, February 19, at his home in France.
Bill Scheft, a writer and longtime friend of Belzer, said that he had “lots of health issues.”
In Memoriam 2022: 100 Great Celebrities Who Died In 2022
He made his film debut in the comedic satire The Groove Tube (1974) alongside Chevy Chase. The film contained skits that featured social commentary on television shows of the 70s.
He also served as the warm-up comedian for Saturday Night Live and made three guest appearances on the show in the late 70s.
As John Munch, Belzer played one of the most memorable cops in TV history. He first appeared on NBC’s...
- 2/20/2023
- by Alex Nguyen
- Uinterview
Richard Belzer, the longtime star of NBC’s Law & Order franchise has died at the age of 78, according to his friends and former colleagues.
Belzer died at his home in Bozouls in southwest France on Sunday, writer Bill Scheft, a friend of the actor and veteran comedian, told The Hollywood Reporter.
“He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, ‘F**k you, motherf***er,’” he told the news outlet.
Belzer played the role of John Munch for 23 years on Homicide: Life on the Streets and Law & Order, starting in 1993. The Connecticut-born comedian retired from acting in 2016 and the age of 71.
Universal Television and NBC issued a joint statement on Sunday offering condolences.
“Anyone who ever had the pleasure of watching Richard Belzer portray Det. John Munch — whether on ‘Homicide’ or ‘Law & Order: Svu’ – over four decades will never forget how much he inhabited that beloved...
Belzer died at his home in Bozouls in southwest France on Sunday, writer Bill Scheft, a friend of the actor and veteran comedian, told The Hollywood Reporter.
“He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, ‘F**k you, motherf***er,’” he told the news outlet.
Belzer played the role of John Munch for 23 years on Homicide: Life on the Streets and Law & Order, starting in 1993. The Connecticut-born comedian retired from acting in 2016 and the age of 71.
Universal Television and NBC issued a joint statement on Sunday offering condolences.
“Anyone who ever had the pleasure of watching Richard Belzer portray Det. John Munch — whether on ‘Homicide’ or ‘Law & Order: Svu’ – over four decades will never forget how much he inhabited that beloved...
- 2/20/2023
- by Graeme Massie
- The Independent - TV
NBC’s Law & Order: Svu fans are devastated to hear that Richard Belzer died on Feb. 19, 2023. The stand-up comic-turned-actor had several notable roles, and he’ll certainly be missed. Richard Belzer’s wife, Harlee McBride, survives him. Here’s more about McBride, his two other marriages, and whether he had kids.
‘Law & Order: Svu’ star Richard Belzer had 3 wives in his lifetime Richard Belzer and wife Harlee McBride | Mario Ruiz/Getty Images
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Richard Belzer died in his home in Southwest France. “He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, ‘F*** you, motherf***er,’” his longtime friend, writer Bill Scheft, said. Belzer was 78 at the time of his death.
“Richard Belzer’s Detective John Munch is one of television’s iconic characters,” Law & Order creator Wolf told Variety. “I first worked with Richard on the Law & Order/Homicide crossover and loved the character so much,...
‘Law & Order: Svu’ star Richard Belzer had 3 wives in his lifetime Richard Belzer and wife Harlee McBride | Mario Ruiz/Getty Images
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Richard Belzer died in his home in Southwest France. “He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, ‘F*** you, motherf***er,’” his longtime friend, writer Bill Scheft, said. Belzer was 78 at the time of his death.
“Richard Belzer’s Detective John Munch is one of television’s iconic characters,” Law & Order creator Wolf told Variety. “I first worked with Richard on the Law & Order/Homicide crossover and loved the character so much,...
- 2/20/2023
- by Lauren Weiler
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Richard Belzer, a comedian whose stone-faced demeanor later made him a star on TV's Law & Order, has died. He was 78.
"I'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing," wrote original Saturday Night Live cast member Laraine Newman, who first reported news of his death, wrote on twitter. "I loved this guy so much. He was one of my first friends when I got to New York to do SNL. We used to go out to dinner every week at Sheepshead Bay for lobster. One of the funniest people ever. A master at crowd work. Rip dearest."
Belzer was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1944. After high school, Belzer worked as a reporter for the Bridgeport Post. He moved to New York to find work as a stand-up comedian. Belzer was the audience warm-up comedian for SNL in its first season and made three guest appearances on the show. He...
"I'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing," wrote original Saturday Night Live cast member Laraine Newman, who first reported news of his death, wrote on twitter. "I loved this guy so much. He was one of my first friends when I got to New York to do SNL. We used to go out to dinner every week at Sheepshead Bay for lobster. One of the funniest people ever. A master at crowd work. Rip dearest."
Belzer was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1944. After high school, Belzer worked as a reporter for the Bridgeport Post. He moved to New York to find work as a stand-up comedian. Belzer was the audience warm-up comedian for SNL in its first season and made three guest appearances on the show. He...
- 2/20/2023
- by James White
- Empire - TV
Prolific actor Richard Belzer, who was best known for his role as Detective John Munch on "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Law & Order: Svu" (among other shows), has died at the age of 78, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The actor's longtime friend writer Bill Scheft told the outlet Belzer died Sunday at his home in Bozouls in southwest France. "He had lots of health issues, and his last words were 'F*ck you, motherf*cker,'" Scheft said.
The sad news was first shared by the actor's friend and fellow actor Laraine Newman on Twitter. "I'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing. I loved this guy so much. He was one of my first friends when I got to New York to do SNL. We used to go out to dinner every week at Sheepshead Bay for lobster. One of the funniest people ever. A master at crowd work.
The sad news was first shared by the actor's friend and fellow actor Laraine Newman on Twitter. "I'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing. I loved this guy so much. He was one of my first friends when I got to New York to do SNL. We used to go out to dinner every week at Sheepshead Bay for lobster. One of the funniest people ever. A master at crowd work.
- 2/19/2023
- by Sabienna Bowman
- Popsugar.com
Richard Belzer, “Law & Order: Svu” star and acclaimed comedian, has died. According to multiple reports, Belzer died early Sunday at his home in Bozouls in southwest France. He was 78. A cause of death for the actor is not yet known.
Belzer stared as the beloved Detective John Munch on 1993’s “Homicide: Life on the Streets” before taking the role to where it perhaps became most notable, “Law & Order: Svu”. Belzer starred as Munch on the long-running show until 2013. In addition to “Svu”, Belzer appeared on the original “Law & Order” as well as “Trial by Jury”, playing the role for 23 years in total, across 12 different TV series including “The X-Files”, “The Beat”, “The Wire”, “Arrested Development”, “30 Rock” and “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”. His last appearance as John Munch was in a guest spot on “Law & Order: Svu” in 2016.
While Belzer got his start as a comedian...
Belzer stared as the beloved Detective John Munch on 1993’s “Homicide: Life on the Streets” before taking the role to where it perhaps became most notable, “Law & Order: Svu”. Belzer starred as Munch on the long-running show until 2013. In addition to “Svu”, Belzer appeared on the original “Law & Order” as well as “Trial by Jury”, playing the role for 23 years in total, across 12 different TV series including “The X-Files”, “The Beat”, “The Wire”, “Arrested Development”, “30 Rock” and “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”. His last appearance as John Munch was in a guest spot on “Law & Order: Svu” in 2016.
While Belzer got his start as a comedian...
- 2/19/2023
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
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