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What a way to go: Beloved Law & Order Star dies at age 78
Actor and comedian Richard Belzer, best known for his role as detective John Munch on Law & Order, has passed away at 78.
Richard died on Sunday at home in Bozouls, southwest France. Richard’s longtime friend, writer Bill Scheft, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.
“He had lots of health issues, Bill explained, “and his last words were, “‘F**k you, motherf**ker’.”
Richard faced battles with his health - he survived testicular cancer in 1983 - and family tragedy through his life - both his father and brother died to suicide. His cause of death is currently unknown, but Richard is survived by his wife, actor Harlee McBride, and his two stepdaughters.
Richard, who retired from acting in 2016, portrayed detective John Munch for 23 years from 1993 to 2016. The character spanned multiple shows, making an appearance in the likes of Homicide: Life of the Street, Law & Order: SVU, The Wire, and Arrested Development.
“I never asked anyone to be on their show," he said in 2008 to The Comic’s Comic. “So it’s doubly flattering to me to see me depicted in a script and that I’m so recognisable and loveable as the sarcastic detective and smart-ass.
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“Much to my delight, because he is a great character for me to play, it’s fun for me. So I’m not upset about being typecast at all.”
Richard’s presence in Hollywood wasn’t limited to just dramas, with the actor and comedian making his name on the comedy circuit, too. He began his career in stand-up in 1972, making his big-screen debut in The Groove Tube, and before Saturday Night Live, he performed in New York on the National Lampoon Radio Hour with the likes of John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and Bill Murray.
It was in 1975 that Richard secured a role as the warm-up comic for SNL. His roles were primarily cameos, and one stated that the SNL creator had gone back on a promise to work him into their scripts.
One of Saturday Night Live’s original cast members, comedian Laraine Newman, took to Twitter to pay tribute to the late Richard, telling supporters that he was “one of the funniest people ever. A master at crowd work.”
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SNL cast member and host, Billy Crystal, shared Laraine’s sentiments, writing “Richard Belzer was simply hilarious. A genius at handling a crowd.”
Actor and comedian Patton Oswalt couldn’t contain his shock at the news, “I just always thought he’d be around ‘cause it seemed like he always was. A true original.”
Meanwhile, actor Christopher Meloni - who is also best known for his work in the Law & Order universe, shared a throwback pic of Richard with co-star Mariska Hargitay.
And Mariska Hargitay herself took to Instagram to share a touching tribute to Richard about how she would dearly miss both him and his unique light, to an outpouring of love and support from fans.
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Images: Getty