Comedian Richard Belzer dies at 78

Richard Belzer, a stand-up comedian and television detective, has passed away at the age of 78.

Image Source: Mitchell Haaseth/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

Former stand-up comic turned one of television's most memorable investigators (John Munch, Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: SVU)

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According to The Hollywood Reporter, Belzer passed away on Sunday at his house in Bozouls, southern France.

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Actress Laraine Newman tweeted the news of his passing. Belzer's cousin, the actor Henry Winkler, penned "Rest in peace Richard."

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For over 20 years and 10 different series (including guest spots on 30 Rock and Arrested Development)

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Belzer was cast in the role of a sarcastic and wisecracking homicide detective who was prone to believing in conspiracies.

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Belzer first portrayed Munch on an episode of Homicide in 1993, and he reprised the role in 2016 on Law & Order: SVU.

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Belzer did not audition. Executive producer Barry Levinson invited the comic to read after hearing him on The Howard Stern Show.

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Belzer's sunglasses-wearing Munch would evolve into one of television's longest-running characters.

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In 2008, Belzer and Michael Ian Black collaborated on the publication of the novel titled "I Am Not a Cop!"

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