Richard Belzer, the comedian and actor. He is best known for his role as Detective John Munch on the “Law & Order” franchise. He was 78. Bill Scheft, a longtime family friend, confirmed to CBS News on Sunday.
Mr Belzer died early Sunday at the winter home, shared with his family in France. According to his longtime friend Bill Scheft, he said he is acting as the family spokesman.
So, Scheft said Belzer died surrounded by family in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, in the south of France. If you want to know more about him, here is everything in this article.
Actor Richard Belzer Dies at 78
His longtime friend and writer Bill Scheft confirmed Belzer’s death. “He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, ‘F*** you, motherf***er,” Scheft told the media. The actor faced several health scares in his life.
Therefore, In 1983, he battled testicular cancer and came out stronger. His wife helped him to survive it, Harlee McBride, who he married in 1985. The couple did not have any children; however, McBride is a mother of two daughters from her previous relationship.
Born in Connecticut in 1944, Belzer grew up in a Jewish family. He graduated from Fairfield Warde High School and later attended Dean College but was expelled. He then took up different kinds of jobs before starting his career as a stand-up comedian in New York City.
Belzer Shot to Fame with Homicide: Life on the street
The actor guest starred in several films in the 1970s and ’80s, including Fame, Café Flesh, Scarface, and Night Shift. However, it was his role as Det. John Munch in NBC’s Homicide: Life on the Street, which got him wide recognition. Belzer starred in 122 episodes of the show from 1993 to 1999.
He also appeared in the film based on the show in 2000 and later reprised his role in another show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Reflecting on the iconic character, he had said in an interview, “I would never be a detective, but if I were, that’s how I’d be.”
‘Law And Order’ Stars Pay Tribute To Richard Belzer After His Death
Law and Order icon Richard Belzer passed away at the age of 78. The colleagues like Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are paying respect.
There are long-running TV shows, and then there’s Law & Order: SVU. The show is currently in the midst of its whooping 24th season on the air. So, the cast of actors is widely known for their iconic roles. Unfortunately, many fans out there are currently mourning the passing of actor Richard Belzer. He recently died at the age of 78. So are the colleagues who he worked with on the beloved procedural. ‘Law And Order’ OG’s like Ice-T, Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay have paid Belzer after his death.
Richard Belzer starred in Law & Order: SVU for a nurseveralrs, and ultimately appeared in a whopping 325 episodes of the iconic series. And as such, he worked closely with the rest of the starring cast. Many of them took to social media to write sweet tributes following Belzer’s death. That includes Elliot Stabler himself and Chris Meloni, who posted the following on Instagram.
Also read: Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann: Love Story of The Power Couple
