Stand-up comedian and TV investigator Richard Belzer pass away at age 78. Live now

USA news today: The longtime stand-up comedian Richard Belzer, who played the iconic investigator John Munch in the television series Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: SVU, has passed away.
He was 78.

Belzer passed away on Sunday at his home in Bozouls, southern France, according to Bill Scheft, a close associate of the actor.
His passing was first reported on Twitter by comedian Laraine Newman.
Rest in peace, Richard was written by Belzer’s nephew, the actor Henry Winkler.

Belzer portrayed the witty, acerbic homicide investigator inclined to conspiracies for more than two decades across ten series, including cameos on 30 Rock and Arrested Development.
Munch was portrayed by Belzer for the last time in a 1993 episode of Homicide.

Actor and comic Richard Belzer of “Law & Order: SVU” passes away at the age of 78.

According to his longstanding manager, Richard Belzer, the comedian and actor best known for portraying the sarcastic Detective John Munch over the course of several NBC crime dramas, including “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” has passed away.
He was 78.

According to his manager, Eric Gardner, Belzer “passed away peacefully” early on Sunday morning local time at his residence in France.

Writer Bill Scheft, a longtime friend of the actor, told The Hollywood Reporter that Belzer had “lots of health issues.”

Belzer was famed for his role as Detective Munch, first appearing on NBC’s “Homicide: Life on the Street” from 1993 to 1999.

In addition to appearing as the renowned detective in four episodes of “Law & Order,” Richard Belzer, the comedian and actor best known for portraying the sarcastic Detective John Munch across a number of NBC crime dramas, including “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” appeared in “The Movie” in 2000.

Belzer reprised his role as Munch in “Law & Order: SVU,” where he was a series regular from 1999 to 2016, starring in 326 episodes.
Despite the fact that his character resigned in 2013, he made a comeback in two more episodes.

Detective Munch shared Belzer’s tendencies towards conspiracy, Jewish heritage, and sardonic humour.
His lanky, witty, glasses-wearing investigator eventually rose to the status of one of the most recognisable police officers in the annals of TV criminal drama.

Requests for comment from Belzer’s representatives were not quickly fulfilled.

According to his IMDb biography, Bridgeport, Connecticut native Belzer started out as a warm-up comic for “Saturday Night Live” before making a few appearances as a guest performer.
How are Richard Belzer and Henry Winkler connected?

Belzer’s nephew, actor Henry Winkler, tweeted “Rest in peace Richard.”
Belzer portrayed the witty, acerbic homicide investigator inclined to conspiracies for more than two decades across ten series, including cameos on “30 Rock” and “Arrested Development.”
Why do Richard Belzer’s eyeglasses have lenses?

By the way, Richard always sports sunglasses—not because they look cool, but rather because they protect his eyes from light sensitivity. What led to Richard Belzer’s passing?

Bill Scheft, a friend of Mr. Belzer, verified the death.
According to Mr. Scheft, who is producing a documentary about Mr. Belzer’s life and profession, the actor had long-standing circulatory and respiratory problems.
Has Law & Order’s Munch perished?

Richard Belzer, a comic and television’s John Munch on “Law & Order,” passed away at the age of 78.
Richard Belzer, a veteran stand-up comic best known for “Saturday Night Live,” has passed away. As John Munch in the “Law & Order” franchise shows, he played one of television’s most recognisable investigators.
He was 78.
What SVU episode was Munch’s last?

Tale of Wonderland

After the events of “Internal Affairs,” a season 15 episode, Cragen tells Benson that Munch has submitted his retirement.