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Richard Belzer, the stand-up legend and TV actor, passed away on February 19 2023 at the age of 78. Belzer died at his home in Beaulieu-sur-Mer from complications arising out of unspecified respiratory and circulatory conditions.
The news of Belzer’s death was confirmed by his friend Bill Scheft, who has also been working on a documentary about Richard Belzer’s life and career.
No cause of death has been reported yet, but according to Scheft, Belzer was suffering from respiratory and circulatory issues for years. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Scheft said that Belzer had a lot of health issues but died peacefully.
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Belzer was best known for his role as John Munch in Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Belzer played the role of a wise-cracking homicide detective for more than two decades and ten series and also became popular for his roles in Arrested Development and 30 Rock.
He first played Detective John Munch on a 1993 episode of Homicide and last played him on Law & Order: SVU in 2016.
Interestingly, Belzer never auditioned for the role. It was executive producer Barry Levinson who brought Belzer in to read for the part after hearing him on "The Howard Stern Show."
In an interview with The Boomer Tube, Belzer said:
"I would never be a detective. But if I were, that’s how I’d be. They write to all my paranoia and anti-establishment dissidence and conspiracy theories. So it’s been a lot of fun for me. A dream, really."
What were Richard Belzer’s health issues?
In 1992, Belzer was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which he discovered while taking a bath.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Belzer told, “being diagnosed with testicular cancer was like a cosmic slap in the face. My reaction was, "How do I get rid of it, and can I have sex?”
Born in Connecticut, Richard Belzer had a prolific career with millions of fans around the world. In fact, he was the only actor in TV history to play the same character in 11 different action series.
