Richard Jay Belzer was an American actor, stand-up comedian, and author. Belzer was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to tobacco and candy retailers Frances and Charles Belzer. Belzer grew up in a Jewish family. Belzer described his mother as frequently physically abusive, and he claimed that his comedy career began when he tried to make his mother laugh to distract her from abusing him and his brother. Belzer began his career as a reporter for the Bridgeport Post after graduating from Fairfield Warde High School.
Belzer was the Saturday Night Live audience warm-up comedian and appeared three times on the show between 1975 and 1980. Belzer also opened for musician Warren Zevon on his tour in support of his album Excitable Boy.
In addition to his film career, Belzer appeared on the National Lampoon Radio Hour, a half-hour comedy program aired on 600+ U.S. stations from 1973 to 1975, alongside co-stars John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, and Harold Ramis. Several of his Radio Hour sketches, including several bits in which he portrayed a pithy call-in talk show host named “Dick Ballantine,” were released on National Lampoon albums.
Is Richard Belzer still alive?
No, Richard Belzer is dead.
How did Richard Belzer die?
The cause of death for Richard Belzer has not yet been revealed.