R.I.P. Richard Belzer (1944 - 2023)

Richard Belzer, the stand-up comedian, dramatic actor, and ubiquitous television presence, died on Sunday according to The Hollywood Reporter. “He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, ‘Fuck you, motherfucker,'” writer Bill Scheft, a longtime friend, told the outlet. 

The Connecticut-born talent began his career in New York City comedy clubs and was a presence in the outer orbit of Saturday Night Live in the mid-1970s. In 1993 his career took an unexpected turn toward drama when he played Detective John Munch on Homicide: Life on the Streets. After seven seasons, the character moved from Baltimore to New York City, and Belzer appeared in the same role for 15 seasons (with occasional guest shots thereafter) on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. He was 78 years old.