Richard Belzer, an original Saturday Night Live cast member who became synonymous for his role as detective John Munch on Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has died at the age of 78.
Beltzer also made cameos as Munch on The X-Files, The Wire, Arrested Development, and 30 Rock, among several other TV series. In fact, Munch is the only character to appear on eleven different television shows played by a single actor…
Much like Beltzer himself, his character was known for his dry sense of humor, cynical outlook on life, and belief in conspiracy theories. (Beltzer himself was a noted JFK conspiracy theorist and wrote several books on the topic.) If there was ever a movie based on Art Bell, Belzer would have been a prime actor to play him. As a matter of fact, Belzer also made appearances on the show Coast to Coast AM..
Laraine Newman, Belzer’s longtime friend and fellow SNL cast member, confirmed his passing on Sunday. Writer Bill Scheft, another longtime friend of the actor, said Belzer died early Sunday at his home in Bozouls in southwest France. “He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, ‘Fuck you, motherfucker,‘” Scheft told The Hollywood Reporter.
What a way to leave!! Belzer style..
