Richard
Belzer is an American actor, comedian, and author, best known for his portrayal
of Detective John Munch in several television series. He was born on August 4,
1944, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA.
Belzer began
his career in comedy in the 1970s, performing at clubs in New York City. He
later moved to Los Angeles and began acting, with his first major role being in
the 1982 film "Author! Author!" alongside Al Pacino. He has since
appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including "Scarface,"
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," and "The Wire."
Belzer is
perhaps best known for his portrayal of Detective John Munch, a character he
played in various TV shows, including "Homicide: Life on the Street,"
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "The X-Files," and
"Arrested Development." Munch became one of the most beloved and
longest-running characters in television history.
Belzer is
also a published author, having written several books, including "UFOs,
JFK, and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don't Have to Be Crazy to Believe" and
"Dead Wrong: Straight Facts on the Country's Most Controversial
Cover-Ups." He is known for his outspoken views on politics, particularly
his criticisms of government policies and corporate greed.
Richard Belzer, who donned the costume of one of television's most revered investigators, died this past Sunday at the age of 78.