Richard Belzer, comedian and television detective, dies at 78

Richard Belzer, who played one of television’s most indelible detectives as John Munch in ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ and ‘Law & Order: SVU’, has died

NEW YORK — Richard Belzer, the longtime stand-up comedian who became one of television’s most indelible sleuths as John Munch in ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ and ‘Law & Order: SVU,” passed away. He was 78 years old.

Belzer died Sunday at his home in Bozouls, southern France, his longtime friend Bill Scheft told The Hollywood Reporter. Comedian Laraine Newman first announced his death on Twitter. Actor Henry Winkler, Belzer’s cousin, wrote “Rest in Peace Richard”.

For more than two decades and across 10 series — even including appearances on “30 Rock” and “Arrested Development” — Belzer played the demure homicide detective prone to conspiracy theories. Belzer first played Munch in an episode of “Homicide” in 1993 and last played him in 2016 in “Law & Command: SVU. »

Belzer never auditioned for the role. After hearing him on “The Howard Stern Show”, executive producer Barry Levinson brought in Belzer to read the part.

“I would never be a detective. But if I was, that’s how I would be,” Belzer said. “They write all my paranoia, anti-establishment dissent and conspiracy theories. So it was really fun for me. A dream, really.