Richard Belzer, a longtime stand-up comedian known for "Saturday Night Live" and one of TV's most memorable detectives as John Munch in "Law & Order" franchise shows, has died. He was 78.
Belzer died Sunday at his home in Bozouls in southern France, his longtime friend Bill Scheft told The Hollywood Reporter, according to The Associated Press.
The actor Henry Winkler, Belzer's cousin, wrote "Rest in peace Richard."
In addition to his work as a comedian, Belzer played the role of Detective John Munch for 23 years. The character first appeared in NBC's "Homicide: Life on the Street" in 1993 and made its way into several other unrelated shows including, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Law & Order: Trial by Jury," "30 Rock," "The X-Files," "Arrested Development," "The Wire" and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."
Belzer never auditioned for the role of Detective John Munch. After hearing him on "The Howard Stern Show," executive producer Barry Levinson brought Belzer in to read for the part.
"I would never be a detective. But if I were, that's how I'd be," Belzer once said. "They write to all my paranoia and anti-establishment dissidence and conspiracy theories. So it's been a lot of fun for me. A dream, really."
RIP, Munch!
Belzer died Sunday at his home in Bozouls in southern France, his longtime friend Bill Scheft told The Hollywood Reporter, according to The Associated Press.
The actor Henry Winkler, Belzer's cousin, wrote "Rest in peace Richard."
In addition to his work as a comedian, Belzer played the role of Detective John Munch for 23 years. The character first appeared in NBC's "Homicide: Life on the Street" in 1993 and made its way into several other unrelated shows including, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Law & Order: Trial by Jury," "30 Rock," "The X-Files," "Arrested Development," "The Wire" and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."
Belzer never auditioned for the role of Detective John Munch. After hearing him on "The Howard Stern Show," executive producer Barry Levinson brought Belzer in to read for the part.
"I would never be a detective. But if I were, that's how I'd be," Belzer once said. "They write to all my paranoia and anti-establishment dissidence and conspiracy theories. So it's been a lot of fun for me. A dream, really."
RIP, Munch!
