Richard Belzer, an acclaimed comic recognized for his position as Detective John Munch in Law & Order: SVU, has sadly handed away. He was 78 years previous.
Former Late Show with David Letterman author Bill Scheft confirmed the unhappy information, telling The Hollywood Reporter that the actor died at his residence in Bozouls in southwest France early Sunday:
“He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, ‘F**k you, motherf**ker.’”
A explanation for dying for Richard has not been revealed presently. As chances are you’ll know, the star was recognized for enjoying the beloved Detective Munch throughout ten sequence for 23 years. The character first appeared within the 1993 NBC sequence Homicide: Life on the Street earlier than shifting on to notably Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and showing in Law & Order: Trial by Jury, 30 Rock, The X-Files, Arrested Development, The Wire, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Richard started his profession as a comic, working because the warm-up act on Saturday Night Live between 1975 to 1980 and acting on the National Lampoon Radio Hour.
Related: Kellie Pickler’s Husband Celebrated Huge Career Mileston Before His Death
Following the information of his dying, a number of of his pals and former co-stars took to social media to pay tribute to him. Law & Order creator and government producer Dick Wolf stated in an announcement:
“Richard Belzer’s detective John Munch is one of television’s iconic characters. I first worked with Richard on the Law & Order/Homicide crossover and loved the character so much, I told Tom (Fontana) that I wanted to make him one of the original characters on SVU. The rest is history. Richard brought humor and joy into all our lives, was the consummate professional, and we will all miss him very much.”
His Law & Order: SVU castmate Mariska Hargitay wrote on Instagram:
“Goodbye my dear, dear friend. I will miss you, your unique light, and your singular take on this strange world. I feel blessed to have known you and adored you and worked with you, side by side, for so many years. How lucky the angels are to have you. I love you so very much, now and forever.”
Co-star Christopher Meloni additionally shared an image of Mariska feeding Richard on set of their present and a photograph of him kissing the actor’s cheek. See the tribute (beneath):
— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) February 19, 2023
Good bye mon ami. I like you.#TheBelz pic.twitter.com/CPJIyNDxYk
— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) February 19, 2023
SNL OG Laraine Newman additionally stated:
“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.”
Our hearts exit to Richard’s family and friends throughout this tough time. R.I.P.
[Image via Dan Jackman/WENN, Law & Order/YouTube]