What Was Richard Belzer's Net Worth?
Richard Belzer was an American stand-up comedian, author, and actor who had a net worth of $16 million at the time of his death. Richard Belzer died on February 19, 2023, at the age of 78. Belzer was best known for his long-running role as John Munch on the police procedural series "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." He holds the record for most consecutive years portraying a character on television. Richard appeared in the role on various other shows over a span of 23 years from 1993 to 2016. Additionally, Belzer was in films such as "The Groove Tube," "Scarface," "Freeway," "North," and "Species II." He was a featured player on the National Lampoon Radio Hour with co-stars John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, and Harold Ramis. The half-hour comedy program aired on more than 600 U.S. stations (1973-75).
John Munch Record
Richard Belzer had the distinction of playing John Munch on several different shows over multiple decades. He played the character as a regular cast member on the NBC police drama series "Homicide: Life on the Street" and Dick Wolf's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," After he portrayed the character on 22 consecutive seasons of television over 23 years, from 1993 to 2016, Belzer broke a record that was previously held as a tie between James Arness and Kelsey Grammer for most consecutive years portraying a single character. Arness played Marshall Matt Dillon on 20 consecutive seasons of "Gunsmoke," and Grammer played Dr. Frasier Crane for 20 consecutive seasons on "Cheers" and "Frasier." Belzer appeared in 122 episodes of "Homicide" and 325 episodes of "SVU," and he made cameos as the character in episodes on several other series, including "The X-Files," "The Wire," and "30 Rock".
Early Life
Richard Belzer was born on August 4, 1944, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was the son of Jewish parents Charles and Frances. His mother was often physically abusive, and Richard would use comedy to distract her from attacking him and his older brother, Leonard. As a teen, Belzer went to Fairfield Warde High School; following his graduation, he served as a reporter for the Bridgeport Post. For his higher education, Richard went to Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts but was eventually expelled. He subsequently took a number of odd jobs, including as a census taker. Belzer's father died by suicide in 1968.
Career Beginnings
Belzer began his show-business career in the early '70s as a stand-up comic in New York City. There, he performed at Pips, the Improv, and Catch a Rising Star. Additionally, Richard served as the audience warm-up comedian for "Saturday Night Live" and made several guest appearances on the program between 1975 and 1980.
Television Career
In 1984, Belzer had his own short-lived show called "The Richard Belzer Show." Following this, he appeared in episodes of "Moonlighting," "Miami Vice," and "Tattingers." Richard began appearing more frequently on television in the '90s. Early in the decade, he had a recurring role as a news reporter on the CBS series "The Flash." He also played Inspector William Henderson in multiple episodes of "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman." However, Belzer landed his breakthrough role in 1993, when he began playing the main role of Detective John Munch on the police drama series "Homicide: Life on the Street." A major success, the show ran for seven seasons through 1999. Following the end of the series, Belzer reprised his role as John Munch on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," playing the character for 325 episodes through 2016.
Beyond "Homicide" and "SVU," Belzer has played John Munch on numerous other programs. He appeared in the role in four episodes of the original "Law & Order" between 1996 and 2000, as well as in a 1997 episode of "The X-Files." In 2000, Belzer played Munch in the television film "Homicide: The Movie" and the short-lived UPN series "The Beat." His other appearances as Munch have occurred on "Law & Order: Trial by Jury," "Arrested Development," "The Wire," and even the late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
Film Career
Belzer made his film debut in 1974, starring in multiple roles in the independent comedy "The Groove Tube." In the early '80s, he had small parts in "Fame," "Café Flesh," "Author! Author!," "Night Shift," and Brian De Palma's remake of "Scarface." Later in the decade, Richard was in the neo-noir thriller "Freeway" and the comedies "The Wrong Guys," "The Big Picture," and "Fletch Lives." His credits in the '90s include "The Bonfire of the Vanities," "Off and Running," "Mad Dog and Glory," "Dangerous Game," "North," "The Puppet Masters," "Get on the Bus," "A Very Brady Sequel," and "Species II," in which he played the president of the United States.
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Radio Career
Beyond television and film, Belzer has appeared frequently on the radio. From 1973 to 1975, he was a featured player on the "National Lampoon Radio Hour" alongside Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, and John Belushi. Later in the '70s, he cohosted "Brink & Belzer" in New York City. Additionally, Richard has been a regular guest on "The Howard Stern Show," as well as on the rightwing conspiracy show hosted by Alex Jones.
Conspiracy Theories and Books
A believer in conspiracies related to the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Belzer has written numerous books about the subject. His titles include "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." Richard has also written non-conspiracy theory-oriented books such as "How to Be a Stand-Up Comic" and "I Am Not a Cop!"
Hulk Hogan Incident
Days before the inaugural WrestleMania event in 1985, Richard asked professional wrestler Hulk Hogan to demonstrate one of his signature moves on Belzer's television talk show "Hot Properties." Hogan proceeded to put the actor in a front chin-lock, causing Belzer to black out. When he was released, Richard hit his head on the floor, resulting in a laceration that required a short stay at the hospital. After this incident, Belzer sued Hogan for $5 million; the two ultimately settled out of court.
Personal Life and Death
In 1966, Richard wed his first wife, Gail Susan Ross. They ultimately divorced in 1972. Four years later, he married boutique manager Dalia Danoch. They divorced in 1978. In 1985, Belzer married actress Harlee McBride, with whom he had two step-daughters named Jessica and Bree.
Richard was a survivor of testicular cancer, having fought off the disease in 1983. He lived in the south of France in the commune of Bozouls, where he moved following his time on "SVU." On February 19, 2023, Belzer died at the age of 78 from complications of respiratory disease.