Laraine Newman, an original member of “Saturday Night Live,” announced on Sunday, February 19, 2023, that Richard Belzer, a former co-star on the show, had passed away. Newman took to Twitter and shared a photo of Belzer along with a message expressing her grief. She wrote that she was deeply saddened by the news and loved Belzer very much. He was one of her first friends in New York when she joined SNL, and they would often have dinner together every week at Sheepshead Bay, where they enjoyed lobster.
I'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing. I loved this guy so much. He was one of my first friends when I got to New York to do SNL. We used to go out to dinner every week at Sheepshead Bay for lobster. One of the funniest people ever. A master at crowd work. RIP dearest. pic.twitter.com/u23co0JPA2
— Laraine Newman (@larainenewman) February 19, 2023
Many people responded to Newman’s tweet by sharing their memories of Belzer.
So very sorry about the loss of your very funny friend, Laraine. By the way, during the last WGA strike in ‘07, he brought out chicken parm sandwiches for everyone in the freezing rain. Such a nice gesture.
— Brian Stack (@BrianStack153) February 19, 2023
One time I was giving my speech in Montreal, and he was sitting in the audience. When I remarked that he didn’t seem to like a joke he said: “You’re a fucking mind reader babe.” He was hilarious all the time. I got to see him host at Catch. Just the best.
— Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) February 19, 2023
I still remember the set he did on the 3/25/1978 episode of #SNL. Wedding band singing a Rolling Stones medley. His Mick Jagger impression as we all know was superb and hilarious. But his impression of what Bob Dylan would sound like at 86 is so good today in 2023. RIP
— Ron Waxman 🏳️🌈🇺🇦 (@RonWaxman) February 19, 2023
Belzer’s most famous role was on the TV show “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” You might remember him as Det. John Munch.
Long before “SVU,” Belzer was a comedian. Besides “SNL,” Belzer also did standup and improv.
Other notable acting credits include “The Flash,” “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “Law & Order,” “Arrested Development” and “30 Rock.” His last acting credits were in 2016.
According to IMDB, he was married three times. His first wife was Gail Susan Ross. They were married from 1966 until 1972 when they got divorced. His second wife was Dalia Danoch. They got married in 1976, but their marriage also ended in divorce in 1978.
Belzer is survived by his third wife, Harlee McBride. They had been married since 1985.
A cause of death has yet to be made public. Belzer was 78 years old. Rest in peace.
