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'Your comic genius will last always': Tributes pour in as 'Law & Order: SVU' actor Richard Belzer dies at 78

Meanwhile, Bill Scheft, a friend of Richard Belzer, claimed that the actor had suffered from circulatory and respiratory diseases for years

PARIS, FRANCE: Actor and comedian Richard Belzer dies at 78. 'The Homicide: Life on the Street' and 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' star took his last breath at his home in Bozouls in southwest France. The 78-year-old made his debut in the movie 'The Groove Tube.' 

Meanwhile, Bill Scheft, a friend of Belzer, confirmed his death, as per The New York Times. Scheft has been working on a documentary about Belzer's life and claimed that the actor had suffered from circulatory and respiratory diseases for years. However, many celebrities, including Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni, and Ice T, went online to pay tribute to the late actor.

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Celebrities who paid tribute to Richard Belzer

Mariska Hargitay, wrote on Instagram, "RICHARD BELZER 1944 - 2023 - Goodbye my dear, dear friend. I will miss you, your unique light, and your singular take on this strange world. I feel blessed to have known and adored you and worked with you, side by side, for so many years. How lucky the angels are to have you. youI can hear them laughing already. I love you so very much, now and forever." 

Law and Order TV tweeted, "Anyone who had the pleasure of watching Richard Belzer portray Det. John Munch will never forget how much he inhabited that beloved character to make it his own. Our condolences go out to his loved ones as we join them in mourning his loss, but also in celebrating his memory." Comedy Central tweeted, "Richard Belzer was a trailblazing comedian who influenced generations of stand-ups. His voice will be missed." Christopher Meloni stated, "Richard “The Belz” Belzer. A beautiful soul, a dapper dresser, with the spirit of a child. Never met anyone like him, and I never will again. Ur last words have helped make ur passing easier to take." Rapper Ice-T claimed, "Highs and Lows… After one of the most amazing weeks of my life. I wake up to the news I lost my friend today. Belz is gone.. Damn it! But remember this..’When you ARE having real fun and are Truly Happy. ENJOY it to the fullest! Cause Pain is inevitably coming.’ I’ll miss you Homie 🙏." Loni Love tweeted, "25 years ago I wanted to be a stand up comic so this was the first book I read .. Thank you for changing my life Richard Belzer… my comedy brother. Rest in peace and make God laugh." 

Actor Laraine Newman tweeted, "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." Comedian Marc Macron wrote, "Richard Belzer died. He was an original. One of the greats, babe. I loved the guy. RIP." "#RichardBelzer was one of the first stars to encourage me to keep going by saying after my work on #LawAndOrderSVU "I smell an #Emmys !" Funny, classy man. Rest in peace and thank you," tweeted comedian Adrian Martinez. Actor Billy Crystal stated, "Richard Belzer was simply hilarious. A genius at handling a crowd. So sad he’s passed away." Writer and Executive Producer of 'Law & Order: SVU', Julie Martin, tweeted, "Missing Richard Belzer today. Working with him on Homicide to SVU has been a hilarious, surprising and always joyful experience. I'm sure he's giving 'em all a lot of laughs upstairs."

Judy Gold stated, "Belzer was the best. Here he is with Henry at @friars_club for his book launch party. He was brilliant, kind, warm and so damn funny. I will miss him. #RIP #RichardBelzer." Actress Diane Neal wrote on Instagram, "#BaruchDayanEmet #UncleBelzer my hero. We always had fun. Genuinely. At work. On vacation. Anywhere. #RichardBelzer #Belzer #Belz The man who made every moment better. I will miss you terribly. #JustHummingLikeAnOldJew The man who taught me how to cut the cheese. Literally. #Brie." Producer Dick Wolf released an official statement and said, "“Richard Belzer’s Detective John Munch is one of television’s iconic characters,” the Instagram statement reads. “I first worked with Richard on the ‘Law & Order’/’Homicide’ crossover 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.”

Comedian Stevie Van Zendt wrote, "RIP Richard Belzer. One of the real good guys. Big loss. We were both breaking through together when Comedy and RocknRoll were wonderfully combined in the clubs. My deepest love and condolences to his family." Ellen Barkin stated, "Rest In Peace dear sweet kind Richard Belzer. Rest In Peace." Comedian Wendy Liebman noted, "I got to open for Richard Belzer at Catch A Rising Star in Cambridge in the mid 80s and then in the early 90s in Denver. He was always encouraging and hands down hilarious. Rest in peace. " Actress Marlee Matlin tweeted, "Richard Belzer was one of the most kindest and welcoming actors when I guested on two episodes of Law and Order: SVU. His passing is truly a loss for Hollywood and I will miss him dearly. RIP Richard Belzer."  Actor Neal Baer stated, "So saddened to learn that the fabulous Richard Belzer passed away.Loved working with him for 11 years on SVU. Favorite moments: w Marlee Matlin, Carol Kane, Stephanie March (TaySachs episode) and of course the great Ice-T. Rest in peace, Munch.Your comic genius will last always."

Patton Oswalt tweeted, "Aw goddamit, RIP Richard Belzer. I just always thought he’d be around ‘cause it seemed like he always was. A true original. #TheBelzBabe." Comedian Al Franken tweeted, "Richard Belzer was a hilarious comedian who other comedians loved as a comedian and as a friend. RIP, Belz." Actor Michael Warburton wrote, "I’m cheering myself up over the news we’ve lost a real good human, citizen, dude, comedian, artist, writer and challenger of power in RICHARD BELZER - by posting this little moment when he took Rick Overton in a ‘Jagger-Off’ on The Green Room in 2011." Comedian Jeff Rose said, "RIP The Belz… Even holding his dog he was always the coolest cat in the room. #RichardBelzer." Writer AlanZweibel wrote, "Richard Belzer was as kind as he was funny. I will miss his brand of comedy that was not confined to boundaries.  And will always be grateful for a friendship that lasted almost 50 years. R.I.P .Belz #RichardBelzer." 

What was most Richard Belzer's most famous character? 

Belzer was best known for his role as BPD Detective, NYPD Detective/Sergeant, and DA Investigator, John Munch, which was portrayed on the NBC police drama series 'Homicide: Life on the Street' and 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.' He played this role for more than two decades, from 1993 until retiring in 2016.