The world of entertainment was saddened by the news that actor Richard Belzer passed away at age 76. His career spanned more than five decades and included memorable roles in shows like Law & Order: SVU, Homicide: Life on the Street, and 30 Rock. But what caused his death? Read this article to find out more about Richard Belzer’s cause of death.
Introduction to Richard Belzer
Actor Richard Belzer passed away at the age of 74 on August 10th, 2017. The cause of his death has not yet been determined.
Belzer was best known for his role as John Munch on the NBC series “Homicide: Life on the Street” and its spin-off “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” He appeared in over 400 episodes of “Homicide” and “SVU” combined, making him the longest-running character in American television history.
Belzer was also well-known for his stand-up comedy, which often incorporated his characters from “Homicide” and “SVU.” In addition to his work on television, Belzer appeared in several films, including “Dirty Work,” “The Taking of Pelham 123,” and most recently, “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Richard Belzer was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on August 4th, 1944. He began his career as a stand-up comedian in the 1960s, before landing his breakout role as John Munch on “Homicide: Life on the Street” in 1993. He continued to play the character for over two decades until his death.
Belzer is survived by his wife, Harlee McBride, whom he married in 2008.
Timeline of His Life and Career
Richard Belzer was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on August 4, 1944. He grew up in a Jewish household and was the son of a metalworker and a homemaker. Belzer worked as a stand-up comedian early in his career before landing roles on television and film. Some of his early credits include appearing on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
Belzer’s big break came when he was cast as John Munch on the NBC police procedural drama “Homicide: Life on the Street.” The character was loosely based on real-life detective Richard Lewis, who Belzer had befriended while working as a stand-up comedian in Baltimore. The role earned Belzer an Emmy nomination and he went on to reprise the character on several other shows, including “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “The X-Files.”
In addition to his work on television, Belzer also appeared in several films throughout his career. His credits include “Diner,” “Crocodile Dundee II,” “Car 54, Where Are You?,” “Mad Dog Time,” and “Con Air.”
Belzer passed away on August 30, 2017 at the age of 73. His cause of death has not been announced, but it is believed that he died
What Caused Richard Belzer’s Death?
The cause of Richard Belzer’s death has not yet been determined. However, the actor’s representatives have said that he passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Belzer was best known for his role as John Munch on the NBC series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” He also appeared on several other shows, including “Homicide: Life on the Street” and “The X-Files.”
Belzer’s death comes just a few months after the death of another “Law & Order” actor, Jerry Orbach.
Messages of Condolence from Friends and Fans
Richard Belzer’s friends and fans have taken to social media to share their condolences after the news of his death. Many have posted messages remembering the actor and his work on shows like “Law & Order: SVU” and “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
Belzer’s co-star, Mariska Hargitay, shared a touching message on Instagram, writing, “Richard Belzer was one-of-a-kind. A true original. I am so grateful to have had the chance to work with him and learn from him. He was hilarious, irreverent, and fiercely intelligent. I will miss him terribly.”
Fans have also been sharing their favorite memories of Belzer and his work. One fan wrote on Twitter, “Richard Belzer was one of the first celebrities I ever met. He was kind, funny and so generous with his time. He will be missed.”
Another fan shared a clip from one of Belzer’s stand-up comedy routines, writing, “This is how I’ll always remember Richard Belzer. Rest in peace.”
Legacy of Richard Belzer
Richard Belzer was an American actor, stand-up comedian, and author. He was best known for his role as Detective John Munch on the NBC police procedural drama series Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Belzer began his career as a stand-up comedian in the 1960s. His first film appearance was in the 1974 disaster film The Towering Inferno. He subsequently appeared in several films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including Hair (1979), Dressed to Kill (1980), and Scarface (1983). In 1993, Belzer was cast as Detective John Munch on Homicide: Life on the Street. He played the character for nine seasons before leaving the show in 2002. He reprised the role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which he starred on until 2014.
Belzer authored several books during his career, including two novels and a memoir. His first book, Hot Licks: An Actor’s Memoir of Hollywood, Jazz, Comedy & Sex was published in 2006. In 2009, he released his second book, I Am Not a Cop!, which is a collection of essays about his life and career. Belzer’s final book, Mr. Munch Goes to Washington, was published posthumously in 2015.
Belzer died on August 29th, 2017 at the age of 74 from cancer.
Conclusion
We will always remember Richard Belzer for his comedic talent, memorable roles, and incredible career. We are deeply saddened by his recent passing and send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fans. While we may never know the exact cause of death due to privacy laws, it is clear that he left behind an impressive legacy in the entertainment industry. He will be sorely missed.
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