Richard Belzer Biography
Richard Belzer was an American actor, stand-up comedian, and author. He is best known for his role as Detective John Munch in the TV series “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and various other TV shows.
Belzer has also appeared in a number of movies and TV shows, including “Scarface,” “The Flash,” and “The X-Files.”
In addition to his acting work, Belzer was also a stand-up comedian and has released several comedy albums. He has authored several books, including a crime novel, a conspiracy theory book, and a memoir.
Richard Belzer Age
Belzer was born on August 4, 1944, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States. He died on February 19, 2023, in Bozouls, France. He was 78 years old.
Richard Belzer Wife
Belzer was married thrice. His first two marriages ended in divorce. He was first married to Gail Susan Ross from 1966 to 1972, and later to Dalia Danoch, a boutique manager, from 1976 to around 1978.
In 1981, Belzer met Harlee McBride, a 31-year-old divorcee with two daughters named Bree Benton and Jessica. McBride, had previously appeared in Playboy magazine’s “sex-in-cinema” feature in conjunction with Young Lady Chatterley four years earlier.
She was working on TV commercials for Ford and acting in free theater when she was introduced to Belzer through a friend. The two got married in 1985.
Richard Belzer Scarface
Belzer appeared in the 1983 American crime film “Scarface” directed by Brian De Palma. In the movie, he played the role of M.C. at the Babylon Club, which was a nightclub in Miami, Florida. The movie starred Al Pacino as the lead character, Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who rises to power in the drug trade.
Richard Belzer Hulk Hogan
In 1985, Belzer had an incident with Hulk Hogan on a talk show called “Hot Properties”. During the interview, Belzer, who was hosting the show, asked Hogan if professional wrestling was fake, and Hogan responded by saying that it was all “showbiz”.
He then challenged Hogan to demonstrate a wrestling move on him, and Hogan put him in a front facelock and dropped him to the floor. Belzer’s head hit the ground, and he suffered a cut on the back of his head that required stitches.
Belzer later sued Hogan and settled out of court. The incident has become a part of wrestling lore and is often referenced as an example of the dangers of blurring the lines between reality and entertainment.
Richard Belzer Movies and TV Shows
Movies
- The Groove Tube (1974)
- The Fury (1978)
- Fame (1980)
- Author! Author! (1982)
- Cafe Flesh (1982)
- Scarface (1983)
- The Stuff (1985)
- Fletch Lives (1989)
- The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)
- Mad Dog and Glory (1993)
- The Puppet Masters (1994)
- Girl 6 (1996)
- G-Men from Hell (2000)
- On the Line (2001)
- Sorority Boys (2002)
- Face the Music (2000)
- Game Day (2000)
- One Night at McCool’s (2001)
- Little Hercules in 3-D (2009)
- Rock Slyde (2009)
- The Grand Design (2009)
- A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011)
TV Shows
- Saturday Night Live (1975–1980)
- The Richard Belzer Show (1984)
- The Joe Franklin Show (1984)
- Miami Vice (1986–1989)
- Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999)
- Law & Order (1990–2000)
- The X-Files (1998–1999)
- The Beat (2000)
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999–2016)
- Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005–2006)
- Arrested Development (2005–2019)
- 30 Rock (2006)
- Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner (2006)
- The Wire (2008)
- Law & Order: LA (2010–2011)
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2010)
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2011)
- Drunk History (2013)
- The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore (2015)
Richard Belzer’s Net Worth
Belzer’s net worth is estimated to be around $16 million.
