Richard Belzer, comedian and ‘Law & Order: SVU’ star, dies at 78

Richard Belzer, the comic and actor known for his standup career in the 1970s and ’80s and his long runs on the television shows “Homicide: Life on the Street” and “Law & Order: SVU,” has died at the age of 78, according to multiple social media reports.

“Law & Order: SVU” stars Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay confirmed the news on their social media accounts.

Belzer’s friend, writer Bill Scheft, told The Hollywood Reporter that Belzer died early Sunday at his home in Bozouls in southwest France after a number of health issues.

Belzer was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and got his start in standup in New York City in the mid-1970s. After several film roles, his acting career really took off with the role of police detective John Munch on “Homicide: Life on the Street,” which ran from 1993-99. He then played the same character on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” from 1999-2013. The shows, which both aired on NBC, were among the highest rated on television.

He made guest appearances on a number of other TV shows, including “The X-Files,” “Arrested Development,” “The Wire,” “30 Rock” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”

One of Belzer’s most notorious moments on television occurred on his local New York show “Hot Properties” in 1985. Hulk Hogan and Mr. T were on the show to promote an upcoming WrestleMania event, and Hogan was asked to demonstrate a wrestling hold. He grabbed Belzer around the neck, but the host lost consciousness and passed out, hitting his head on the floor. He sued Hogan for $5 million and the two settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

Belzer’s feature film credits include “Fame,” “Author! Author!,” “Night Shift,” “Scarface,” “Fletch Lives,” “The Bonfire of the Vanities,” and “Mad Dog and Glory.”

Belzer has also written four books dealing with conspiracy theories.

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— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) February 19, 2023

Good bye mon ami. I love you.#TheBelz pic.twitter.com/CPJIyNDxYk

— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) February 19, 2023

I'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing. I loved this guy so much. He was one of my first friends when I got to New York to do SNL. We used to go out to dinner every week at Sheepshead Bay for lobster. One of the funniest people ever. A master at crowd work. RIP dearest. pic.twitter.com/u23co0JPA2

— Laraine Newman (@larainenewman) February 19, 2023

Richard Belzer was simply hilarious. A genius at handling a crowd. So sad he’s passed away.

— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) February 19, 2023