Stand up Comedian Richard Belzer’s Last Words Before His Death

Richard Belzer, the edgy comedian and author known for portraying a cynical detective on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has died. He passed away at the age of 78 on Sunday, his friend and writer Bill Scheft told The Hollywood Reporter.

Embarking on his career as a stand-up comic, Belzer shared the stage with icons such as Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, and John Belushi. He also appeared in a variety of films, including The Groove Tube (1974).

He was a comedian

Belzer‘s comedy career took off in the 1970s when he auditioned for Channel One, an East Village group led by Ken Shapiro and Lane Sarasohn. The aspiring comedian made the most of his small role, playing imitations of Marlon Brando and Jerry Lewis on their mock-television shows.

After the show, Belzer moved to New York and honed his skills as a stand-up comedian. He later wrote a book, How to Be a Stand-Up Comic.

He also starred in films like Fame (1980) and Scarface (1983), and had roles on various TV series such as Miami Vice and Tattingers. His most famous role, however, was on Law & Order: SVU, where he played Munch.

In the years since his stint on SVU, he’s appeared on numerous other shows including Homicide: Life on the Street, and in various dramas such as The Wire, 30 Rock, and Arrested Development.

But the most memorable moment of Belzer’s career was a bit in 1985 when he hosted a talk show called Hot Properties, where he was put in a front chinlock by World Wrestling Federation star Hulk Hogan. The action knocked him unconscious, and he banged his head on the stage.

He was a detective

Richard Belzer, a comedian and actor known for his roles as Detective Munch on Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: SVU, has passed away at the age of 78. The news was confirmed by his longtime friend Bill Scheft.

Before Belzer began to become famous on TV, he was a stand-up comedian. He performed at comedy clubs in New York, including Pip’s and Catch a Rising Star.

He also served as a warm-up comic on Saturday Night Live for five years.

In his spare time, Belzer appeared in a number of movies and had a handful of small roles on television. He was a bit part in 1980s’ “Fame” and “Scarface,” as well as 1982’s “Night Shift,” 1985’s “Flicks” and 1989’s “Fletch Lives.”

After appearing on Homicide, he went on to join the NBC drama series Law & Order: SVU, where he played Munch for 14 seasons. That makes him the longest-running Munch in television history, beating out James Arness’ Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke and Kelsey Grammer’s Dr. Frasier Crane on Cheers.

He was a writer

Richard Belzer died on Sunday at the age of 78, according to his friend, writer Bill Scheft. He passed away at his winter home in Bozouls, southwest France.

Belzer had a long and successful career as a stand up comedian. He started out at Pip’s and Catch a Rising Star before appearing on Saturday Night Live in the early days of sketch comedy.

He also starred in the TV show Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His portrayal of Detective John Munch became one of the most popular and indelible television characters of all time, surpassing Kelsey Grammer’s Dr. Frasier Crane on Cheers and James Arness’ Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke.

In his spare time, Belzer wrote a number of books on conspiracy theories. He published How to Be a Stand-Up Comic in 1988, UFOs, JFK and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don’t Have to be Crazy to Believe in 2000 and I Am Not a Cop!: A Novel in 2008.

He was a husband

The longtime comedy and acting star Richard Belzer passed away at the age of 78 on Sunday, February 19 in Bozouls in southwest France. He was known for his roles as detective John Munch on NBC’s Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, according to his friend, writer Bill Scheft.

During his career, Belzer appeared on Saturday Night Live and was a featured player on National Lampoon Radio Hour, alongside Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase and Bill Murray. He also had a handful of small parts in films like Fame (1980) and Scarface (1983).

However, it was only when Belzer’s famous character appeared on shows like Homicide: Life on the Street and NBC’s Law & Order: SVU that he became well-known to audiences. He starred as the sarcastic Munch for more than two decades, first on Homicide and then on Law & Order: SVU.

In addition to acting, Belzer was also a popular conspiracy theorist who wrote four books about his beliefs. Titles: 

1. “UFOs, JFK, and Elvis: Believable Conspiracies”

2. “Hit List: Investigating Mysterious JFK Witness Deaths”