With the breaking headlines of Richard Belzer’s death this morning, his fans are waiting for his ultimate demise. This prominent actor was a longtime stand-up comedian who gained fame as John Munch in “Homicide: Life on the Street.” He passed away at 78 at his home on Sunday in southern France. His long-time friend Bill Scheft, who is also a writer and had been working on the Belzer documentary, said that the exact cause of death is not known but that for a long time, Belzer had respiratory and circulatory issues.
Belzer: A Gift to the Entertainment Industry
Many celebrities came forward online and shared their condolences. Belzer’s cousin, the actor Henry Winkler, also tweeted, “Rest in peace, Richard.” Belzer was in the entertainment industry for more than two decades. He was seen in the “10” series, and the audience always appreciated his talent. Some of his amazing appearances in Arrested Development and 30 Rock, where he played the acerbic homicide detective solving conspiracy theories, gained him popularity. He began his career in show business in 1993, when he appeared in the Homicide episode. In 2016, he made an appearance on Law & Order: SVU.
Belzer never auditioned for the role that gave him his popularity. When he learned about the show, executive producer Barry Levinson invited him to read for the role. Belzer even said once that he would have never been a detective, but the cast always writes about all his anti-establishment dissidence and paranoia. This has made the entire environment always light and enjoyable for him.
His work will always be remembered.
Today, Belzer’s Munch has become a known running character, and his wearing the sunglasses has created a unique identity. This personality has ruled for more than two decades. Belzer even published a novel in 2008, “Belzer’s Munch,” with Michael Ian Black. He has even assisted many people in writing books about conspiracy theories and events such as Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
The reason why his death news turned out to be shocking is that even his fans have realized that they won’t see him on screen anymore. He had made people laugh so many times, and being in that comedic section is never easy. Belzer was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and always had a thrust to enter into comedy. Even after going through an abusive childhood, he always looked up to his childhood idol, Jerry Lewis.
Belzer was expelled from Dean Junior College in Massachusetts, but this was the beginning of his stand-up career in New York. Belzer was performing regularly at Catch a Rising Star. He even made his film debut in the 1974 film “The Groove Tube,” which became a huge hit and helped Belzer become a member of the comedy group Channel. Saturday Night Live changed the whole comedy scene in New York, and Belzer was the one who performed with other famous personalities like Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, and John Belushi.
Belzer was once the era’s best stand-up comedian and is known for his cynical attitude. With breaking headlines about his death, may this influential comedian rest in peace.
