What a way to go: Beloved Law & Order Star dies at age 78
<p>Actor and comedian Richard Belzer, best known for his role as detective John Munch on <em>Law & Order</em>, has passed away at 78. </p>
<p>Richard died on Sunday at home in Bozouls, southwest France. Richard’s longtime friend, writer Bill Scheft, confirmed the news to <em>The Hollywood Reporter</em>. </p>
<p>“He had lots of health issues, Bill explained, “and his last words were, “‘F**k you, motherf**ker’.”</p>
<p>Richard faced battles with his health - he survived testicular cancer in 1983 - and family tragedy through his life - both his father and brother died to suicide. His cause of death is currently unknown, but Richard is survived by his wife, actor Harlee McBride, and his two stepdaughters.</p>
<p>Richard, who retired from acting in 2016, portrayed detective John Munch for 23 years from 1993 to 2016. The character spanned multiple shows, making an appearance in the likes of <em>Homicide: Life of the Street</em>, <em>Law & Order: SVU</em>, <em>The Wire</em>, and <em>Arrested Development</em>. </p>
<p>“I never asked anyone to be on their show," he said in 2008 to <em>The Comic’s Comic</em>. “So it’s doubly flattering to me to see me depicted in a script and that I’m so recognisable and loveable as the sarcastic detective and smart-ass.</p>
<p>“Much to my delight, because he is a great character for me to play, it’s fun for me. So I’m not upset about being typecast at all.”</p>
<p>Richard’s presence in Hollywood wasn’t limited to just dramas, with the actor and comedian making his name on the comedy circuit, too. He began his career in stand-up in 1972, making his big-screen debut in <em>The Groove Tube</em>, and before <em>Saturday Night Live</em>, he performed in New York on the <em>National Lampoon Radio Hour</em> with the likes of John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and Bill Murray.</p>
<p>It was in 1975 that Richard secured a role as the warm-up comic for <em>SNL</em>. His roles were primarily cameos, and one stated that the SNL creator had gone back on a promise to work him into their scripts. </p>
<p>One of <em>Saturday Night Live</em>’s original cast members, comedian Laraine Newman, took to Twitter to pay tribute to the late Richard, telling supporters that he was “one of the funniest people ever. A master at crowd work.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">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. <a href="https://t.co/u23co0JPA2">pic.twitter.com/u23co0JPA2</a></p>
<p>— Laraine Newman (@larainenewman) <a href="https://twitter.com/larainenewman/status/1627327574572662786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><em>SNL</em> cast member and host, Billy Crystal, shared Laraine’s sentiments, writing “Richard Belzer was simply hilarious. A genius at handling a crowd.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Richard Belzer was simply hilarious. A genius at handling a crowd. So sad he’s passed away.</p>
<p>— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillyCrystal/status/1627370051333672960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Actor and comedian Patton Oswalt couldn’t contain his shock at the news, “I just always thought he’d be around ‘cause it seemed like he always was. A true original.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Aw goddamit, RIP Richard Belzer. I just always thought he’d be around ‘cause it seemed like he always was. A true original. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBelzBabe?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheBelzBabe</a></p>
<p>— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) <a href="https://twitter.com/pattonoswalt/status/1627354718908616704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Meanwhile, actor Christopher Meloni - who is also best known for his work in the <em>Law & Order </em>universe, shared a throwback pic of Richard with co-star Mariska Hargitay. </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="zxx"><a href="https://t.co/9aQUaGh1mU">pic.twitter.com/9aQUaGh1mU</a></p>
<p>— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Meloni/status/1627384361694765062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p>And Mariska Hargitay herself took to Instagram to share a touching tribute to Richard about how she would dearly miss both him and his unique light, to an outpouring of love and support from fans. </p>
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<p><em>Images: Getty </em></p>
