Richard Jay Belzer, an American actor, stand-up comedian, and novelist, died on February 19, 2023. He died at the age of 78 years old.
He is most known for playing the roles of BPD Detective, NYPD Detective/Sergeant, and DA Investigator John Munch in the NBC police drama series Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as in guest roles on a number of other series.
He played the role for 23 years, starting in 1993 and ending in 2016, before retiring.
Richard Belzer Parents: Meet Charles Belzer and Frances Belzer
Charles Belzer, a tobacco seller, and his wife Frances (née Abrams) a candy retailer welcomed Belzer into the world in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was raised by a Jewish household.
He claimed that his mother routinely beat him and his brother and that his attempt to make his mother laugh as a way of getting her to stop beating them was the beginning of his comedic career.