Cast of the TV series 'Homicide: Life on the Street'

Richard Belzer

Richard Belzer reprised his breakout role Detective John Munch in 'Law and Order' franchise

• By Reena Chikanbanjar
• Update : November 21, 2021

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Richard Belzer is an American actor and comedian best known for playing Detective John Munch on NBC’s police drama series Homicide: Life on the Street (1993-1999) and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-2016).

Who is Richard Belzer?

Richard Belzer kicked off his career as a stand-up comedian, performing Improv. He also worked as a reporter, teacher, census-taker, jewelry salesman, and dockworker before starting his career in acting. 

He made his on-screen debut in the 1974 comedy film The Groove Tube. He then guest-starred in three episodes of Saturday Night Live as the warm-up comedian from 1975 to 1980. He also appeared in over a dozen of films, including Fame (1980), Author! Author! (1982), Night Shift (1982), and America (1986), before landing his breakout role as Detective John Munch in the NBC police drama series Homicide: Life on the Street in 1993. He reprised the role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit from 1999 to 2016. He also played the same detective role in several other television shows, including Law & Order (1996-2000), The Beat (2000), and Law & Order Trial by Jury (2005). After portraying the role of John Munch for 23 years, Belzer retired from acting in 2016.

Belzer is also an author. He co-authored a book titled ‘How to Be a Stand-Up Comic,’ published in 1988. Belzer then published a book titled ‘UFO’s JFK, and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don’t Have To Be Craze To Behave,’ in 1999. In his next book titled ‘I Am Not a Cop!’ (2008), which he co-authored with Michael Black, Belzer combines reality with his fictional Law & Order character to solve the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a trusted friend. Belzer’s other books include ‘I Am Not a Psychic!’ (2009) and ‘Dead Wrong: Straight Facts on the Country’s Most Controversial Cover-Ups’ (2012).

How old is Richard Belzer?

Richard Belzer was born on 4 August 1944 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Francis and Charles Belzer. As of November 2021, his age is 77 years. 

Belzer had one elder brother, Leonard Belzer. When they were children, their mother used to beat them relentlessly. Belzer had once mentioned that he had to make his mother laugh to save himself from being hit by her. His mother died of breast cancer in 1964. Four years later, his father also committed suicide, leaving Belzer parentless in his early 20s.

Is Richard Belzer still alive?

Richard Jay Belzer, in short, Richard Belzer, is alive and is 77 years old as of November 2021. He survived testicular cancer in 1983. 

After portraying the role of Detective John Munch for over two decades, Belzer retired from acting when he was 71. In addition to his prominent role, he appeared as Richard Belzer himself in the romantic comedy-drama film The Comedian in 2016 before his retirement.

Spouse

Belzer has been married three times. He was married to his first wife, Gail Susan Ross, from 1966 until their divorce in 1972. He then married Dalia Danoch in 1976, but their marriage also ended with divorce in 1978. 

In 1981, Belzer met actress Harlee McBride. She was also a divorcee and had two daughters from his ex-husband Garth Benton at the time. However, Belzer and McBride eventually started a romantic relationship and ultimately got married in 1985. 

What happened to Richard Belzer’s Brother?

On 30 July 2014, Belzer’s older brother, Leonard, committed suicide at the age of 73 by jumping off the roof from the 16-floor Manhattan apartment building, he resided. A former host of the radio program The Comedy Hour, Leonard had been married to Emmy Award-winning Sesame Street director Emily Squires until she died in 2012.

Net Worth

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Belzer has a net worth of $16 million, which he amassed through his career as an actor and stand-up comedian.