sign in

richard belzer

   biography news movies & tv forum links
 
Richard Belzer on NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
Richard Belzer on NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
Richard Belzer returns for another season as the acerbic Detective John Munch on Wolf Films/ Universal Media Studio's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," after first portraying Munch on NBC's critically acclaimed drama series "Homicide: Life on the Street" for seven years. His character transferred from Baltimore to New York to join the crime unit.

"This is one conspiracy in which I have been a willing participant," says Richard Belzer, a renowned conspiracy theorist. In fact, Richard Belzer has played Detective Munch on a record-setting ten different television series—"Law & Order," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Law and Order: Trial By Jury," "Homicide," "The X-Files," "The Beat," "Mad About You," "M.O.N.Y.," "Sesame Street," "The Wire" and "Arrested Development."

The veteran standup comic, actor, talk-show host and author was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Due to his "uncontrollable wit," Richard Belzer was politely asked to leave every school he ever attended. He first worked as a reporter for the Bridgeport Post and several other newspapers around the country. This interest in journalism is traced directly to his days as a paperboy in his hometown. Richard Belzer honed his life experiences into barbed comedic material drawn from other former jobs including teacher, census-taker, jewelry salesman and dockworker.

Richard Belzer began his career in show business with a starring role in "Groove Tube," the counterculture film that went on to become a cult classic. Since then, Richard Belzer's comedic talents have been featured in every entertainment medium from off-Broadway ("The National Lampoon Show" with Bill Murray, Gilda Radner and John Belushi) to radio (Brink and Belzer on WNBC) to film ("Fame," "Author, Author," "Night Shift" and "Scarface"). Richard Belzer also appeared as himself in the Andy Kaufman biopic "Man on the Moon." His other film credits include "Scarface," "Species II," "Get on the Bus," "Girl 6," "A Very Brady Sequel," "North," "The Bonfire of the Vanities" and "The Big Picture." Additionally, Belzer starred in his own HBO comedy special, "Another Lone Nut," and released a comedy CD of the same title. He hosted ABC's primetime special "When Cars Attack," starred in the six-part comedy Showtime series "The Richard Belzer Show," hosted the live Lifetime talk show, "Hot Properties," and Court TV's "Crime Stories."

Richard Belzer is also the author of "UFOs, JFK and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don't Have to Be Crazy to Believe," and is the co-author of "How to Be a Standup Comic." The first of a series of novels, "I Am Not A Cop," will be published by Simon & Schuster in 2008. Richard Belzer hosted and produced "The Belzer Connection," a series of conspiracy-theory prime time specials for the Sci-Fi Channel. Richard Belzer is currently co-writing and will be producing and starring in the feature film satire "The Last Supper—The Roast." Multiple Emmy-award-winner Larry Charles ("Seinfeld", "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "Entourage") is co-writing and co-producing.

Richard Belzer was honored by the New York Friars Club and the Toyota Comedy Festival as the honoree of the first-ever roast that was open to the public. Comedians and friends on the dais included Roast Master Paul Shaffer, Christopher Walken, Danny Aiello, Barry Levinson, Robert Klein, Bill Maher, "SVU" co-stars Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni, Ice-T, and Dann Florek, and Law & Order's Jerry Orbach. In addition, Richard Belzer was nominated for a 2007 People's Choice Award for Favorite Scene Stealing Star.

Richard Belzer and his wife, actress Harlee McBride, live in New York City while filming the series and in France during the remainder of the year.






RICHARD BELZER: FACTS

How tall is Richard Belzer? How old is Richard Belzer? Where was Richard Belzer born? Find out here.

Age: 65 years old
Birthday: August 4, 1944
Height: 6' 1"
Nickname: The Belz
Birthplace: Bridgeport, CT
Wife: Harlee McBride
Dalia Danoch
Gail Susan Ross



RICHARD BELZER: NEWS (4)


Richard Belzer on NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Comedy Central Reveals Roasters for Joan RiversRivers is in for a rippin' from the likes of Roast Master Kathy Griffin, Brad Garrett, Carl Reiner, Gilbert Gottfried, Jeffrey Ross, Lily Tomlin, Robin Quivers, Richard Belzer and more. Read more...
James Cromwell as Phillip Bauer on "24" VH1's 'Lords of The Revolution' Celebrates Traffickers of Sex, Drugs, Music and Subversive PoliticsPremiering Monday, August 10, the five-part series will feature counterculture icons of the '60s and '70s, such as Andy Warhol, Muhammad Ali, The Black Panthers, Timothy Leary, and Cheech and Chong. Read more...
Megan Hauserman on "Rock of Love 2" VH1 Heats Up Summer 2009Here comes "Tool Academy 2," "Megan Wants a Millionaire," "The Great Debate," "The T.O. Show" and more. Read more...
SEE ALL RICHARD BELZER NEWS (4)


LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT: NEWS (20)


Jada Pinkett Smith on "Hawthorne" 'NAACP Image Awards 2010' WinnersThe list of winners include Jada Pinkett Smith, Keri Hilson, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Mo'Nique, "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," "Lincoln Heights" and "Precious." Read more...
Sharon Stone Sharon Stone Joins Cast of 'Law & Order: SVU'The Oscar nominee and Emmy and Golden Globe winner will play a former cop-turned prosecutor in a guest-starring arc for four episodes. Read more...
"Precious" poster 16th Annual SAG Awards Nominations"Inglourious Basterds," "Precious" and "Up in the Air" lead the way for movies, while "30 Rock," "The Closer" and "Dexter" came out on top for TV. Read more...
SEE ALL LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT NEWS (20)


 
 
 
RICHARD BELZER: TWEETS

March 9, 2010
Amy Ryan, Richard Belzer, Michael Grandage all at the show tonight!
4 hours ago
Amy Ryan, Richard Belzer, Michael Grandage all at the show tonight!
4 hours ago
How do I always manage to be at plays with Richard Belzer near me in the audience? He needs to stop stalking me ;)
6 hours ago
@nsuttner Richard Belzer has been on Law & Order for years. They are known for their different take on casting I mean, look at Ice T
3 days ago
Hey very very young Richard Belzer! If you haven't seen this movie, you should-highly quotable.
3 days ago
@ShapeStyleGuru that was Richard Belzer's dog, he never leaves home without him:) xx
4 days ago
I just had a guy stare me down from outside the window who looked like he was from the future. And like Richard Belzer.
4 days ago
@ayeletw Is Richard Belzer still on that show? I've been rewatching HOMICIDE and I think his character has been on the air for almost 20 yrs
6 days ago
@mikewatanabe it's cuz I got the Richard Belzer question right, natch!
6 days ago