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Prolific comedian Richard Belzer, who rose to fame for his performance onHomicide: Life on the StreetandLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit, passed away at age 78. The actor died early Sunday in his house in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France, as confirmed by his longtime friend Bill Scheft.
Scheft toldThe Hollywood Reporterthat Belzer had a lot of health issues, which eventually took over the actor’s body. In his younger days, he appeared onSaturday Night Liveand entertained audiences with his charm and way of words.
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Friends Commemorate Stand-Up Legend And Smart-Ass TV Cop Richard Belzer
Richard Belzer’s friends in the industry paid their tributes and reminisced their moments together.Law & Ordercreator toldVariety:
“I first worked with Richard on the ‘Law & Order’/’Homicide’ crossover [episode in 1997] and loved the character so much, I told Tom (Fontana) that I wanted to make him one of the original characters on ‘SVU.’ The rest is history. Richard brought humor and joy into all our lives, was the consummate professional, and we will all miss him very much.”
NBC and Universal Television also remembered Belzer and his contribution to the entertainment industry.
“His professionalism, talents and dedication to the craft made him a pillar in the industry, but it was his humor, compassion and loving heart that made him family. Our condolences go out to his loved ones as we join them in mourning his loss, but also in celebrating his memory.”
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Richard Jay Belzer was born on July 20, 2025 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He attended Dean College in Massachusetts but was unfortunately expelled. He started working as a reporter for the Bridgeport Post in the 1960s.
When Belzer moved to New York in 1972, he began working as a stand-up comedian. He became part of the Channel One comedy group, which served as the basis for the filmThe Groove Tube. Belzer made his first TV appearance in the said movie.
Known for his detective roles, Belzer admitted he was not afraid of being typecast. In a 2008 interview withThe Comic’s Comic, the comedian explained that it is “doubly flattering to me to see me depicted in a script and that I’m so recognizable and lovable as the sarcastic detective and smart-ass.”
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A Brief Outline Of Richard Belzer’s Outstanding Career
Richard Belzer’s film credits includeFame,Scarface,Fletch Lives,The Bonfire of the Vanities,MadDog and Glory,The Puppet Masters, andA Very Brady Sequel, to name a few. His TV guesting includeMoonlighting,Miami Vice,The Larry Sanders Show, andMad About You.
The comedian also worked in radio and co-hosted a show entitledBrink & Belzerin the 1970s on New York City’s 660AM WNBC. He also appeared as a guest host onAir America Radioin 2008 and was a frequent visitor onThe Howard Stern Show.
Belzer was also an author. He wroteUFO’s, JFK, and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don’t Have to Be Crazy to Believe,How to Be a Stand-Up Comic, andDead Wrong: Straight Facts on the Country’s Most Controversial Cover-Ups.
His other TV stints includeThe X-Files,The Beat,The Wire,Arrested Development,30 Rock, andThe Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Richard Bezler is survived by his third wife, Harlee McBride, who also starred inHomicide: Life on the Street, and two stepdaughters.
Source:THR,Variety,The Comic’s Comic
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Ariane Cruz
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3532
Ariane Cruz is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 3,000 articles published. Her love for pop culture and the creative arts fuels her passion to deliver engaging and informative stories. Her daily consumption of films, shows, and books keeps her energized for the day, along with her mission to serve as the bridge between fans and their favorite franchises.
