According to TMZ ‘Law and Order’ star and comedian Richard Belzer has died.
News about Belzer’s death spread like wildfire Sunday morning, with none other than Laraine Newman — an original ‘SNL’ cast member, who worked alongside Belzer from the mid-’70s through the ’80s — confirming the latest.
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
She wrote, “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.”
Comedian Marc Maron also sent his condolences, calling him an original and “one of the greats.” Other tributes are pouring in from all over showbiz, although details about his passing haven’t been officially released just yet.
Belzer was most known for portraying Det. John Munch on ‘Law & Order: SVU’, dating back to 1996. He’d starred in over 300 episodes of the fan-fave cop series … playing the quick-witted and razor-sharp Munch for several years. His character was written off in 2016.
His famous police character had also existed even before ‘SVU’ came around … Munch had existed in another TV universe — namely, on the classic hit ‘Homicide,’ where he starred opposite Ned Beatty, Daniel Baldwin and other big actors for seven straight seasons.
Today the amazing Richard Belzer passed away, Our dear Munch, it was an honor to watch you for years on Svu, you will never be forgotten. ? pic.twitter.com/dOvMdO4QbT
— Jamy (parody) (@jamyjeby) February 19, 2023
and
Oh man…RIP Richard Belzer ?…his final appearance on Law & Order: SVU as John Munch has all the feels ?
pic.twitter.com/uIHqDZypuf— Wu-Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) February 19, 2023
and
“i love you, olivia.” we miss munch, we’ll miss richard belzer so much ? pic.twitter.com/uuIKqzW6DR
— emma (parody) MPI DAY (@paulsenweltons) February 19, 2023
and
Richard Belzer appeared as Det. Munch on Homicide, Law & Order, SVU, Trial By Jury, The Wire, 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Beat, Arrested Development and The X-Files among others and was the first actor to play the same character on 10 different live-action shows.
RIP pic.twitter.com/C3kXGhbq2Z
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) February 19, 2023
Rest in peace Munch.
