Actor Henry Winkler is amongst these paying tribute to actor and comic Richard Belzer, who has reportedly handed away on the age of 78. Saturday Night time Dwell star Laraine Newman was the primary to interrupt the information of Belzer’s dying, calling him “one of many funniest individuals ever.”
Winkler, who was Belzer’s cousin, reposted Newman’s publish, including, “Relaxation in peace Richard.”
Author Invoice Scheft instructed The Hollywood Reporter that his outdated pal handed away early Sunday at his dwelling in Bozouls in southwest France. “He had quite a lot of well being points and his final phrases had been ‘F*** you, motherf*****’,” Scheft instructed the outlet.
The beloved actor, who began out on the stand-up circuit, discovered a mainstream viewers along with his roles on NBC’s Murder: life on the road And Legislation & Order: particular unit for victims, turning into immediately recognizable along with his character, Detective John Munch. Like his on-screen alter ego, Belzer was fascinated with conspiracy theories and wrote 4 books – two of them New York Occasions bestsellers – about what he noticed as “controversial cover-ups.”
On social media, mates and followers had been fast to have fun the actor’s life. SVU star Mariska Hargitay mentioned she would miss Belzer’s “distinctive mild and your distinctive tackle this unusual world.”
Christopher Meloni, who Det. Elliot Stabler reverse Belzer op SVU, posted a couple of throwback pictures in honor of Belzer. “Goodbye mon ami. I like you,” he captioned one of many pictures, which confirmed him planting a kiss on Belzer’s cheek as Hargitay regarded on within the background. One other confirmed Hargitay Belzer feeding an apple on set.
Jon Stewart known as Belzer “a grasp” of stand-up comedy.
Marc Maron praised the strip as “one of many greats”.
“A real unique,” mentioned Patton Oswalt of Belzer.
In her tribute, Newman – mom of Hacks actress Hannah Einbinder – recalled how Belzer was one among her “first mates” when she arrived in New York. She described him as “a grasp of crowd work.” When somebody speculated that the information of Belzer’s dying was a part of a hoax, Newman replied“I want it was a hoax.”
SVU showrunner Warren Leight expressed how a lot he loved working with Belzer, sharing that the actor was “surprisingly good.”
Jeffrey Ross known as Belzer “the good cat within the room.”
Ellen Barkin, Billy Crystal and Richard Lewis had been amongst those that additionally shared tributes.
Common Tv and NBC additionally commented on Belzer’s dying in an announcement. “Anybody who has ever had the pleasure of watching Richard Belzer play Detective John Munch – whether or not he performs Homicide or Legislation & Order: SVU– over 4 a long time will always remember how a lot he lived in that beloved character to make it his personal,” it reads.
“Richard Belzer’s Detective John Munch is one among tv’s iconic characters,” Legislation & authority creator Dick Wolf mentioned in an announcement to Selection. “I first labored with Richard on the Legislation and order/homicide crossover and beloved the character a lot, I instructed Tom [Fontana] that I needed to make him one of many unique characters SVU. The remaining is historical past. Richard introduced humor and pleasure to all of our lives, was the consummate skilled and we’ll all miss him dearly.”
In 2013, it was introduced that Belzer can be leaving the enduring crime collection after 15 seasons. he went on to return to SVU in 2016, bringing again his beloved character for a visitor look. Belzer’s dying additionally comes on the heels of his onscreen companion, Ice-T, who was honored Friday with a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame at a ceremony attended by Wolf and Hargitay.
After his retirement from SVU, Belzer moved to the south of France. He married his third spouse, former actress Harlee McBride, in 1985 and had two stepdaughters.
