Before passing unexpectedly at the age of 78 in February 2023, Richard Belzer had fame in the entertainment business as a comedian and actor, most known for his performances on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
Belzer had already been dealing with a number of challenges before his death. His last words, according to his close buddy Bill Scheft, were a series of lighthearted obscenities. Belzer died in his home in Bozouls, France.
The mayor of their little community, Jean-Luc Calmelly, paid tribute to the actor, calling him well-known among locals not only for his celebrity but also for his friendliness and charity to others.
Years before his death, Belzer said his final goodbye to his iconic character, Detective John Munch” on “SVU.” The show’s executive producer, Warren Leight, said that Belzer’s leaving was painful for him. He stated:
“In the real world, which we try very hard to simulate, NYPD has mandatory retirement before your 63rd birthday, and we were trying to figure out how to deal with it. [NYPD does it] because you can’t have 65-year-old guys running after guys.”
Despite having to quit the police force, Belzer’s character became an investigator for the district attorney’s office. The actor’s 21-year run as Munch had unfinished business in another sector.
Similarly, executive producer Barry Levinson of “Homicide: Life in the Street” praised Belzer’s portrayal of the character. Notably, he liked the cadence with which Belzer spoke.
Belzer, who was born in Connecticut on August 4, 1944, has spent the last few years living in the beautiful countryside of France with his wife, Harlee McBride.
Munch made his television debut on “Homicide: Life in the Street” in 1993. Belzer and his wife celebrated the show’s cancellation with champagne after he had played the role for seven years. They had no idea that his character would go on for a long time.
The well-known figure first debuted in the original “Law & Order.” Belzer appeared in several episodes of “Law & Order: Trial by Jury,” “Arrested Development,” “The X-Files,” “The Beat,” “The Wire,” “30 Rock,” and “Sesame Street.”
Belzer, fortunately, developed a fondness for his on-screen persona. “He reminds me a lot of myself. Having a character like you is very pleasing and luxurious,” Bezler stated. His last episode of “Law & Order: SVU” aired in 2016.
When Richard Belzer died, the official “Law & Order” Twitter feed paid tribute to him with a post that both mourned and embraced his memory. The post stated:
“Anyone who had the pleasure of watching Richard Belzer portray Det. John Munch will never forget how much he inhabited that beloved character in order to make it his own.”
Belzer, who was born in Connecticut on August 4, 1944, has spent the last few years living in the beautiful countryside of France with his wife, Harlee McBride.
After wrestler Hulk Hogan choked Beltzer at a talk program in 1985, he and his wife moved to France. Beltzer passed out and ended up in stitches despite the fact that the sequence was simply for a stunt.
McBride, who was born on November 20, 1948, is also an actress and producer. She, like her spouse, has a number of acting credits. McBride shared the screen with her husband in the 1990s, when she played Dr. Alyssa Dyer in 22 episodes of “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
She also appeared in “Young Lady Chatterley,” “Young Lady Chatterley II,” “Raid on Entebbe,” “Days of Our Lives,” “Most Wanted,” and “The Rockford Files.”
Beltzer married McBride in 1985, despite having previously been married twice. Beltzer was married to Gail Susan Ross from 1996 to 1972. After their divorce, he married Dalia Gnoch in 1976 and divorced her in 1978. McBride was formerly married to actor Garth Benton.
Beltzer was a father figure to McBride’s children, Jessica Erin Benton and Shannon Bree Benton, despite the fact that he never had biological children.
After wrestler Hulk Hogan choked Beltzer at a talk program in 1985, he and his wife moved to France. Beltzer passed out and ended up in stitches despite the fact that the sequence was simply for a stunt.
“He was on the verge of killing me. A sports medicine expert told me that if I had fallen a few inches either way, I could have been crippled for life; I could have died,” Belzer explained. He ultimately sued the WWF star and received a sum of money that was sent to their French house.
Belzer and McBride’s estate was near Bozouls, a small community with an estimated 3,000 residents in 2013. They obtained a residence permit in 2021 and made the house their permanent residence.
Despite the language barrier, Belzer did his best to foster fellowship among his neighbors and would frequently converse with the locals. Those who knew him and his wife said they were well-integrated members of the community.
He and McBride spend a lot of time with their four gorgeous dogs, which are like their children to them. His posts demonstrate that the couple’s pets are frequently participating in their activities.
The couple’s magnificent rural residence is situated on a plot of land in the heart of Roquefort cheese country and is surrounded by lush foliage. It was close to the 12th-century Sainte Fauste Church in the settlement.
Belzer has given glimpses of his property on multiple occasions, leaving followers in awe of its tranquil beauty. The lovely church could also be seen in the background of his home photos.
Outside Belzer’s house, there are several trees, vines, and vivid flowers, including roses. His wife is especially fond of the natural surroundings because she enjoys caring for her plants. Belzer mentioned in one of his tweets that McBride gardens even in the cold. His tweet included a snapshot of his wife in action.
In addition, the pair keeps a large pile of wood chunks for cold days and nights. The actor earlier posted a photo of their well-kept supply, captioning it, “Harlee’s wood pile… I helped (a little)!”
Apart from the house, it is the company that makes Belzer happy. He and McBride spend a lot of time with their four gorgeous dogs, which are like their children to them. His posts demonstrate that the couple’s pets are frequently participating in their activities.
Lounging in their plunge pool with a chilled glass of wine is one of their favorite ways to unwind. The lovely dogs were gathered around them, enjoying what Belzer referred to as a “pool party.”
One of his pets was a poodle-fox terrier mix named Bebe, who accompanied him to red-carpet events. He attended a viewing of “Look” with his fur dad in 2007.
When it comes to culinary duties, McBride is in charge of the cooking. “The master at work,” Belzer captioned one of his kitchen shots of his wife.
The couple also hosts dinners in their house, as evidenced by a lovely dinner table equipped with multiple plates for visitors. Whatever the activity, Belzer and McBride cherish every time spent together.
Despite the fact that Belzer never had children of his own, he had four dogs which he adored like children. One of his pets was a poodle-fox terrier mix named Bebe, who accompanied him to red-carpet events. He attended a viewing of “Look” with his fur dad in 2007.
During the occasion, however, the manager informed the actor that Bebe was not permitted to enter the venue. Despite the fact that Bebe was a frequent companion and was completely harmless, he was still not permitted and had to sit in the car with Belzer’s driver.
Bebe was also well-known among “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” cast and staff members because she frequently attended tapings.
“He has total freedom on the set,” Belzer remarked. “We’ll all be working hard when he walks by, and everyone will say, ‘Aw, Bebe!’” All of these big macho guys melt around him. He has the ability to affect the moods of 120 people on set.”
Belzer also attributes his long life to Bebe. While he admitted to having a temper, his emotions were under control since his dog picked up on it and calmed him down. He doesn’t blow out as much as he used to because of Bebe.
Belzer seemed to have a good relationship with his stepdaughters, Jessica and Bree. The girls were in France to bid farewell to the actor during his final days.
Bebe was an abused and abandoned pup when Belzer took him in. Their similar backgrounds became a way for them to connect, but beyond their familiar story, Bebe’s personality and intelligence won Belzer’s heart.
Besides, Bebe, Belzer and McBride’s three other dog children are Tulip, Django, and Lacey, all much bigger than Bebe.
Belzer was an animal rights activist who donated to various non-profit groups, notably the North Shore Animal League. He urged people to support the no-kill rescue organization and adopt dogs. Belzer also backed groups worried about gun control and violence.
Aside from his pups, Belzer appeared to get along well with his stepdaughters, Jessica and Bree. The girls were in France to say their final goodbyes to the actor.
Belzer grew raised in an out-of-the-ordinary family. His interest in comedy stemmed from a childhood spent with an abusive mother who physically abused him and his brother. Belzer claims that his mother always had a cause to lay a hand on them, but she would be happier if he made her laugh.
While many people found his jokes amusing, they frequently put him in trouble at school. He was expelled from Dean Junior College in Massachusetts after organizing protests in the area around the school.
Belzer wrote numerous books, including “How to Be a Stand-Up Comic,” “UFOs, JFK, and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don’t Have to Be Crazy to Believe,” and “I Am Nat a Cop!: A Novel.”
Belzer held many jobs after finishing his education and eventually became a journalist for The Bridgeport Post newspaper. After a string of misfortunes, he decided to try his hand at humor.
Charles, his father, attempted suicide three years after his mother died of cancer. While Belzer was successful in saving him, Charles was successful a year later. Belzer’s brother, sadly, suffered the same fate after his wife died in 2014.
Belzer’s first job in the industry was with a Channel One East Village comedy troupe. Belzer eventually earned roles in a police drama spoof. Soon after, he began performing stand-up comedy at New York venues such as the Improv, Pips, and Catch a Rising Star.
On the “National Lampoon Radio Hour,” he appeared alongside John Belushi, Bill Murray, and Gilda Radner. He was invited to be the warm-up comedian for “Saturday Night Live” when it first aired.
“They asked me to do some sketches and warm-up exercises.” “I just did what I did in nightclubs,” he explained. I attempted to improvise and ad-lib as much as possible. And doing it in a television studio rather than a nightclub was amazing.”
After “Saturday Night Live,” Belzer appeared on other shows, but his stint as Munch transformed his life. Munch made him a television staple and a global celebrity. The part also provided the performer with other opportunities.
Belzer also wrote and published books, including “How to Be a Stand-Up Comic,” “UFOs, JFK, and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don’t Have to Be Crazy to Believe,” and “I Am Nat a Cop!: A Novel.” He left behind a legacy that many will definitely remember.
