Richard Belzer, a well-known comedian, actor, and novelist died on February 19, 2023, at the age of 78. While the cause of death has not yet been established, his buddy Bill Scheft said that he had a number of health difficulties, including circulatory and pulmonary ailments. The official Facebook page of the NBC show Law & Order, in which Belzer also participated, paid homage to him by uploading a photo and noting that everyone who watched Homicide or Law & Order: Special Victims Unit was well aware of Belzer’s immaculate performance. The message went on to say:
“His skill, abilities, and devotion to the trade made him a cornerstone in the business, but it was his humor, compassion, and loving heart that made him family. Our thoughts go out to his loved ones as we grieve his passing while simultaneously celebrating his memory.”
According to Heavy, Richard was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1983 but survived. According to The Washington Post, Belzer discovered he had cancer while swimming one day. He was 40 years old at the time. In an interview with The Washington Post, he said that he was looking for a solution for the same. Opoyi reportedly said that the actor had to wear dark glasses since his eyes were light-sensitive. According to an official item on the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s website:
“Richard, by the way, always wears sunglasses—not because he’s stylish, but because his eyes are very sensitive to light. To be cool, he doesn’t need sunglasses!”
Twitter users pay tribute
Richard Belzer has been recognized for his roles in several films and television series throughout the years. As word of his death spread, Twitter was inundated with tributes:
Richard Belzer appeared as Det. Munch on Homicide, Law & Order, SVU, Trial By Jury, The Wire, 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Beat, Arrested Development and The X-Files among others and was the first actor to play the same character on 10 different live-action shows.
RIP pic.twitter.com/C3kXGhbq2Z
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) February 19, 2023
As a SVU lifer it’s a sad day #DetectiveMunch is a truly memorable character
rest in eternal peace #RichardBelzer 🙏🏽🕊💗
and of course your last words were “F*ck you, motherf@cker” of course they were pic.twitter.com/U1bvw62iRL— Reena Kanji (@ReenaKanji) February 19, 2023
Richard Belzer appeared in a number of films and television episodes.
Richard Belzer started his career as a comedian, and he rose to prominence after appearing on Saturday Night Live from 1975 until 1980. He then entered the film industry in the 1970s, making his debut with the 1974 indie comedy picture The Groove Tube.
Fame, Café Flesh, Night Shift, The Wrong Guys, The Big Picture, The Bonfire of the Vanities, The Puppet Masters, Species II, The Comedian, and more films followed. Belzer was featured in one episode of the children’s television series Sesame Street and ten episodes of the CBS television series The Flash as Joe Kline. Belzer was well-known for his portrayal of detective John Munch in 122 episodes of the NBC cop drama series Homicide: Life on the Street.
He later played John Munch in 325 episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on NBC. He also appeared in Moonlighting, Miami Vice, Tattingers, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, The X-Files, Mad About You, and other series.
