Richard Belzer left “Law & Order” and Hollywood for a quiet life in the French countryside. He lived with his wife, Harlee McBride, and their four dogs in a beautiful home surrounded by nature. According to the actor, his dogs prolonged his life.
Richard Belzer left “Law & Order” and Hollywood for a quiet life in the French countryside. He lived with his wife, Harlee McBride, and their four dogs in a beautiful home surrounded by nature. According to the actor, his dogs prolonged his life.
Before Richard Belzer passed away at age 78 in February 2023, he found success in the entertainment industry as a comedian and actor, most recognized for his roles in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
Belzer already battled several issues leading up to his demise. According to his good friend, Bill Scheft, his last words included a lot of joking curses. Belzer passed away in his Bozouls, France, residence.
Jean-Luc Calmelly, the mayor of their small village, paid tribute to the actor, calling him famous amongst residents of the area, not only for his celebrity status but also for his friendliness and kindness towards others.
Years before his passing, Belzer bid farewell to his famous character, Detective John Munch” on “SVU.” Warren Leight, the show’s executive producer, admitted to finding difficulty in Belzer’s departure. He said:
“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.”
Although Belzer’s character had to leave the police department, he joined the D.A.’s office as an investigator. The actor’s 21 years as Munch still had an open ending in a different field.
Similarly, “Homicide: Life in the Street” executive producer Barry Levinson also liked how Belzer portrayed the character. Notably, he was fond of the rhythm of the way Belzer spoke.
Belzer, born on August 4, 1944, in Connecticut, spent the last few years living in the beautiful countryside in France with his wife, Harlee McBride.
Munch first debuted on “Homicide: Life in the Street” in 1993. When the show was canceled, Belzer and his wife celebrated with champagne as he played the role for seven years. Little did they know that his character would live on for many more.
The famous character appeared in the original “Law & Order.” Belzer reprised his role on “Law & Order: Trial by Jury,” “Arrested Development,” “The X-Files,” “The Beat,” “The Wire,” “30 Rock,” and “Sesame Street.”
Fortunately, Belzer grew fond of his on-screen persona. “He is very close to how I used to be. It is very pleasing and luxurious to have a character just like you,” Bezler said. His last appearance on “Law & Order: SVU” was in 2016.
At the time of his passing, the official “Law & Order” Twitter page paid tribute to Richard Belzer with a post that mourned his loss and celebrated his memory. The post read:
“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...