Richard Belzer bio, relationships, career, and more
Who is Richard Belzer?
Richard Jay Belzer is a renowned American actor, stand-up comedian, and author best known for his role as Detective John Munch in the television series “Homicide: Life On the Street” (NBC, 1993-99) and “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 1999-present). Belzer has earned a place in television history for portraying the same character on more series than any one actor.
Belzer had a difficult upbringing, with his mother dying of breast cancer when he was 18 and his father committing suicide when he was 22. Despite these struggles, he has made a successful career in show business.
Aside from his famous role as Detective John Munch, Belzer is also known for his appearances in films such as Fame and Scarface and for hosting his talk show, The Richard Belzer Show, on Cinemax.
He has also been a regular guest on many talk shows due to his acerbic wit and controversial statements.
Richard Belzer passed away at age 78 on February 19, 2023, at his house in Bozouls, France.
Quick facts
| Full name | Richard Jay Belzer |
| Known as | Richard Belzer |
| Birthday | August 4, 1944 |
| Age | 78 years old |
| Death | February 19, 2023 |
| Sun sign | Leo |
| Birthplace | Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Current residence | Bozouls, France, |
| Nationality | French and American |
| Parents | Charles Belzer, Frances Belzer |
| Siblings | Leonard Belzer |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Harlee McBride (m. 1985), Dalia Danoch (m. 1976–1978), Gail Susan Ross (m. 1966–1972) |
| Children | No biological children |
| Education | Fairfield Warde High School, Dean College |
| Profession | Stand-up comedian, Actor |
| Net worth | USD 16 million |
| Social media |
Childhood
Richard Belzer was born on August 4, 1944, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Frances and Charles Belzer, a tobacco and candy retailer. He grew up in a Jewish family and had a Jewish upbringing.
Unfortunately, Richard’s childhood was marred by his mother’s physical abuse. It led him to recall that the kitchen in his house was the most dangerous place to be.
Furthermore, he has stated that his abusive mother sparked his interest in comedy. He used to make her laugh to stop his mother from physically abusing him and his brother.
His mother passed away when he was young.
Belzer studied at Fairfield Warde High School, and after graduating there, he worked as a reporter for the Bridgeport Post. After this, Belzer enrolled at Dean College, previously known as Dean Junior College. Unfortunately, Belzer was expelled from the college.
Despite his tumultuous childhood, Richard Belzer was kicked out of every school he attended due to uncontrollable behavior.
Despite this difficult start, Belzer used his wit to forge a successful career as a standup comic, actor, talk-show host, and author. He has achieved success in his profession, has a loving family, and is well respected in the entertainment industry.
Relationships
Belzer was married to Gail Susan Ross from 1966 to 1972. After this, he married Dalia Danoch in 1976. They divorced in 1978. The stand-up comedian got married to Harlee McBride in 1985. Harlee McBride was a Playboy model who had also appeared in an ad for Ford Motors.
Richard Belzer career
Belzer’s stand-up comedy career began when he worked at Pips, The Improv, and Catch a Rising Star. His comedy group, Channel One, satirized television. From 1975 to 1980, he appeared on Saturday Night Life as a guest.
His acting career began with Sesame Street’s first episode. Aside from Fame, Café Flesh, Night Shift, and Scarface, he also had minor roles in those films. Belzer also appeared in music videos for Mike + The Mechanics’ Taken In, Pat Benator’s Le Bel Age, and Kansas’ Can’t Cry Anymore.
Belzer also co-hosted Brink & Belzer on 660AM WNBC radio in New York. He has also guest-starred in The Howard Stern Show. Regarding his TV work, Belzer has worked as a regular cast member on The Flash. He has starred in several episodes of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Homicide: Life on the Street, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Belzer has authored four books related to conspiracy theories. They are UFOs, JFK, and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don’t Have to Be Crazy to Believe; Dead Wrong: Straight Facts on the Country’s Most Controversial Cover-Ups; Hit List: An In-Depth Investigation into the Mysterious Deaths of Witnesses to the JFK Assassination; and Someone Is Hiding Something: What Happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370? He co-authored the book Dead Wrong and Hit List with David Wayne.
filmography
Film:
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | The Groove Tube | Rodriguez Leo Batfish The President The Hooker |
| 1980 | Fame | M.C. |
| 1982 | Café Flesh | Loud-mouthed audience member |
| 1982 | Author! Author! | Seth Shapiro |
| 1982 | Night Shift | Pig |
| 1983 | Scarface | M.C. at Babylon Club |
| 1983 | Likely Stories, Vol. 3 | Richard |
| 1986 | America | Gypsy Beam (AKA Moonbeam) |
| 1986 | Charlie Barnett’s Terms of Enrollment | Man Reading Paper |
| 1987 | Flicks | Stoner (segment ‘New Adventures of the Great Galaxy’) |
| 1988 | The Wrong Guys | Richard ‘Belz’ Belzer |
| 1988 | Freeway | Dr. David Lazarus |
| 1989 | The Big Picture | Video Show Host |
| 1989 | Fletch Lives | Phil |
| 1990 | The Bonfire of the Vanities | Television Producer |
| 1991 | The Flash II: Revenge of the Trickster | Joe Kline |
| 1991 | Missing Pieces | Baldesari |
| 1991 | Off and Running | Milt Zoloth |
| 1992 | Flash III: Deadly Nightshade | Joe Kline |
| 1993 | Mad Dog and Glory | M.C./Comic |
| 1993 | Dangerous Game | Himself |
| 1994 | North | Barker |
| 1994 | The Puppet Masters | Jarvis |
| 1995 | Not of this Earth | Jeremy Pallin |
| 1996 | Girl 6 | Caller #4 – Beach |
| 1996 | A Very Brady Sequel | LAPD Detective |
| 1996 | Get on the Bus | Rick |
| 1998 | The Bar Channel | |
| 1998 | Species II | U.S. President |
| 1999 | Jump | Jerry |
| 2006 | Copy That | Richard |
| 2007 | BelzerVizion | Richard Belzer (Also executive producer) |
| 2009 | Polish Bar | Hershel |
| 2010 | Santorini Blue | Richard (Also executive producer) |
Television:
| Year | Film | Role | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975–1980 | Saturday Night Live | Juror Chevy Chase Himself Museum Visitor | |
| 1978 | Sesame Street | Man in Row Boat #1 | |
| 1984 | The Richard Belzer Show | Himself | |
| 1985 | Moonlighting | Leonard | |
| 1986 | Miami Vice | Captain Hook | |
| 1989 | Tattingers | ||
| 1990–1991 | The Flash | Joe Kline | |
| 1991 | Monsters | Buzz Hunkle | |
| 1992 | Human Target | Greene | |
| 1993–1999 | Homicide: Life on the Street | Det. John Munch | |
| 1994 | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman | Inspector William Henderson | |
| 1994 | Nurses | Jesse Wilner | |
| 1994 | Bandit Bandit | Big Bob | |
| 1994 | Hart to Hart: Crimes of the Hart | Det. Frank Giordano | |
| 1995 | Prince for a Day | Bernie Silver | |
| 1995 | The Invaders | Randy Stein | |
| 1996 | Deadly Pursuits | Mariano | |
| 1996–2000 | Law & Order | Det. John Munch | |
| 1997 | The X-Files | Det. John Munch | |
| 1997 | Richard Belzer: Another Lone Nut | Himself | |
| 1997 | When Cars Attack | Himself | |
| 1997–1998 | E! True Hollywood Story | Himself | |
| 1998 | Elmopalooza | Himself | |
| 1999 | Mad About You | Detective Sharp | |
| 1999–2016 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Det./Sgt. John Munch | |
| 2000 | Homicide: The Movie | Det. John Munch | |
| 2000 | The Beat | Det. John Munch | |
| 2000 | South Park | Loogie | |
| 2000 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Himself | |
| 2005 | Law & Order: Trial by Jury | Det. John Munch | |
| 2006 | Arrested Development | Det. John Munch | |
| 2008 | The Wire | Sgt. John Munch | |
| 2009 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Sgt. John Munch | |
| 2009 | Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers | Himself | |
| 2013 | America Declassified | Himself | |
| 2015 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | A John Munch-like character |
