By Wonderwall.com Editors
12:04pm PST, Feb 25, 2023
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Actor, comedian and author Richard Belzer — who was best known for his work as Detective John Munch on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Homicide: Life On the Street" — died at 78 on Feb. 19 at his home in Bozouls, France, his longtime friend, writer Bill Scheft, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. "He had lots of health issues," Bill shared, "and his last words were, 'F*** you, motherf*****.'" Hollywood friends and co-stars took to social media to mourn. Keep reading to see how the beloved star is being remembered…
"Goodbye my dear, dear friend. I will miss you, your unique light, and your singular take on this strange world. Ifeel blessed to have known you and adored you and worked with you, side by side, for so many years. How lucky the angels are to have you. I love you so very much, now and forever." –Mariska Hargitay
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"Richard Belzer was simply hilarious. A genius at handling a crowd. So sad he's passed away." –Billy Crystal
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"Richard Belzer was my brother. We became fast friends in '92 when I was a bartender, faster friends when I did my first job on NBC's HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET and in 1998 he called me and said 'baby, Dick Wolf is doing a new show called LAW and ORDER SVU and he wants me to be on it. I told Dick 'Only if you make Dean Winters my partner, Brian Cassidy' Baby, are you in?' I was in. There aren't a lot of people with class like that left. 'Classe non e acqua' Everyone can have water, not everyone can have class. Richard Belzer had class for days. I will miss this man very much" –Dean Winters
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"Richard Belzer was always so kind to me. We met at comedy club he was performing in yrs before L&O. I was young with only one film into my career. He always remembered me. I had the pleasure of hang'n with him a couple of times. Sweet sweet man & funny as hell. He will be missed" –Vincent D'Onofrio
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"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" –Ice-T
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"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." –Laraine Newman
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"Richard Belzer's Detective John Munch is one of television's iconic characters. 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. Richard brought humor and joy into all our lives, was the consummate professional and we will all miss him very much." –"Law & Order: SVU" creator Dick Wolf
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"#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" –Diane Neal
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"#RichardBelzer was one of the best ever to grace our screens. I learned so much from him. Forever in our hearts he'll remain. RIP friend." –Jon Seda
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"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." –Marlee Matlin
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"Since we met in the mid-1970s, an evening with Richard Belzer was an evening reserved for laughs. As a stand-up, he presaged the comedy explosion still felt in entertainment today. And although he had seamlessly transitioned to serious acting, 'Belz' remained the standard bearer with regard to what was funny. Everyone should have a best friend who makes you laugh that hard." –Paul Shaffer, to People magazine
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"You…
made me laugh.
welcomed me.
emboldened me.
showed me how precious, beautiful and ridiculous it all is.
taught me to hit a speed bag.
made me a Rolling Stones fan.
taught me grace.
opened your home.
gave back.
made me laugh.
made us laugh.
l…
Love you, Belz
#RichardBelzer" –Danny Pino
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"#RichardBelzer was one of a kind. Rest in peace…" –S. Epatha Merkerson
