Former ‘Law & Order’ Co-Star Dies At 78
On Sunday February 19, 2023, Laraine Newman, one of the original cast members of “Saturday Night Live,” broke the news that one of her former co-stars on the show, Richard Belzer, had died.
On Twitter, Newman posted a picture of Belzer and wrote, “I’m so sad to hear of Richard Belzer’s passing. I loved this guy so much. He was one of my first friends when I got to New York to do SNL. We used to go out to dinner every week at Sheepshead Bay for lobster.”
I’m so sad to hear of Richard Belzer’s passing. I loved this guy so much. He was one of my first friends when I got to New York to do SNL. We used to go out to dinner every week at Sheepshead Bay for lobster. One of the funniest people ever. A master at crowd work. RIP dearest. pic.twitter.com/u23co0JPA2
— Laraine Newman (@larainenewman) February 19, 2023
Many people responded to Newman’s tweet by sharing their memories of Belzer.
Wow. That’s a great story. Thanks
— Laraine Newman (@larainenewman) February 19, 2023
I used to keep in touch with him on Twitter. We bonded over politics. He invited me to visit him in France. I never got to go but man that would have been great.
— Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) February 19, 2023
I still remember the set he did on the 3/25/1978 episode of #SNL. Wedding band singing a Rolling Stones medley. His Mick Jagger impression as we all know was superb and hilarious. But his impression of what Bob Dylan would sound like at 86 is so good today in 2023. RIP
— Ron Waxman 🏳️🌈 (@RonWaxman) February 19, 2023
Belzer’s most famous role was on the TV show “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” You might remember him as Det. John Munch.
Long before “SVU,” Belzer was a comedian. Besides “SNL,” Belzer also did standup and improv.
Other notable acting credits include “The Flash,” “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “Law & Order,” “Arrested Development” and “30 Rock.” His last acting credits were in 2016.
According to IMDB, he was married three times. His first wife was Gail Susan Ross. They were married from 1966 until 1972 when they got divorced. His second wife was Dalia Danoch. They got married in 1976, but their marriage also ended in divorce in 1978.
Belzer is survived by his third wife, Harlee McBride. They had been married since 1985.
A cause of death has yet to be made public. Belzer was 78 years old. Rest in peace.