Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni, and More Celebrities Pay Tribute to Richard Belzer

Published on 2/19/2023 at 5:50 PM

Stars from "Law & Order: SVU" and beyond are paying tribute to Richard Belzer after the actor died at the age of 78 at his home in France on Feb. 19. The actor's friend writer Bill Scheft, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter. "He had lots of health issues, and his last words were 'F*ck you, motherf*cker,'" Scheft said of the actor and comedian.

Belzer played Detective Munch on "SVU" from 1999 to 2016, but the character was much bigger than just one series. He originated the role on "Homicide: Life on the Street" in 1993 before continuing to play the sardonic detective on "SVU" after "Homicide" came to an end. Additionally, he made guest appearances as Munch on an additional eight shows including "The X-Files" and "30 Rock." Given how prolific his career was, it's no surprise the actor was beloved.

Since his death was announced, his costars have been paying their respects to the late actor on social media. Mariska Hargitay shared her tribute on Instagram, writing in part, "Goodbye my dear, dear friend. I will miss you, your unique light, and your singular take on this strange world." Meanwhile, Christopher Meloni, tweeted a photo of himself kissing Belzer on the cheek. "Good bye mon ami. I love you," he wrote.

Read ahead to see how Belzer's "Law & Order" family and other celebrity friends are saying goodbye to the actor.

Mariska Hargitay

"Goodbye my dear, dear friend. I will miss you, your unique light, and your singular take on this strange world," Hargitay wrote on Instagram. "I feel blessed to have known you and adored you and worked with you, side by side, for so many years. How lucky the angels are to have you. I can hear them laughing already I love you so very much, now and forever."

Ice-T

Ice-T and Belzer's characters were partners on "SVU" throughout much of Belzer's run on the show. On Feb. 19, the actor tweeted, "Highs and Lows… After one of the most amazing weeks of my life. I wake up to the news I lost my friend today. Belz is gone.. Damn it! But remember this..'When you ARE having real fun and are Truly Happy. ENJOY it to the fullest! Cause Pain is inevitably coming.' I'll miss you Homie 🙏."

Christopher Meloni

Meloni shared two photos of Belzer on Twitter. He captioned one pic, "Good bye mon ami. I love you." The "Law and Order: Organized Crime" star also posted a tribute on Instagram, writing, "Richard "The Belz" Belzer. A beautiful soul, a dapper dresser, with the spirit of a child. Never met anyone like him, and I never will again. Ur last words have helped make ur passing easier to take."

Vincent D'Onofrio

"Richard Belzer was always so kind to me," D'Onofrio tweeted. "We met at comedy club he was performing in yrs before L&O. I was young with only one film into my career. He always remembered me. I had the pleasure of hang'n with him a couple of times. Sweet sweet man & funny as hell. He will be missed."

Dick Wolf

Dick Wolf, the creator of the "Law & Order" franchise, shared a tribute to Belzer on Instagram. "I first worked with Richard on the 'Law & Order'/'Homicide' crossover and loved the character so much I told Tom (Fontana) that I wanted to make him one of the original characters on 'SVU.' The rest is history," he wrote. "Richard brought humor and joy into all our lives, was the consummate professional, and we will all miss him very much."

Marlee Matlin

Matlin, who guest-starred on "SVU," tweeted, "Richard Belzer was one of the most kindest and welcoming actors when I guested on two episodes of Law and Order: SVU. His passing is truly a loss for Hollywood and I will miss him dearly. RIP Richard Belzer."

Dean Winters

Winters wrote on Instagram, "Richard Belzer was my brother. We became fast friends in '92 when I was a bartender, faster friends when I did my first job on NBC's HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET and in 1998 he called me and said 'baby, Dick Wolf is doing a new show called LAW and ORDER SVU and he wants me to be on it. I told Dick '"Only if you make Dean Winters my partner, Brian Cassidy" Baby, are you in?'
I was in. There aren't a lot of people with class like that left. 'Classe non e acqua'
Everyone can have water, not everyone can have class. Richard Belzer had class for days. I will miss this man very much❤️."

Billy Crystal

"Richard Belzer was simply hilarious. A genius at handling a crowd. So sad he's passed away," Crystal tweeted on Feb. 19.

Laraine Newman

Former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Newman was among the first people to share the news of Belzer's passing. "I'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing," she tweeted. "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."

Jon Stewart

"Rest in Peace Belz. No better time than sitting in the back at Catch watching Richard wreck crowd after crowd…a master," Stewart tweeted.

Eric Idle

"I'm sorry to hear we have lost Richard Belzer. I always adored him. As a starving comedian out on the fringes he would come to my dressing room whenever I hosted SNL in the 70's and eat all the cheese and fruit plates. A very funny and dear man. Dammit," Idle tweeted.

Patton Oswalt

"Aw goddamit, RIP Richard Belzer," Oswalt tweeted. "I just always thought he'd be around 'cause it seemed like he always was. A true original. #TheBelzBabe"

Ellen Barkin

"Rest In Peace dear sweet kind Richard Belzer. Rest In Peace," the Emmy winner tweeted.

Marc Maron

Maron tweeted, "Richard Belzer died. He was an original. One of the greats, babe. I loved the guy. RIP."

Jim Beaver

"I auditioned for the part of Munch on HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET," the "Supernatural" actor tweeted. "Richard Belzer got the part and played the same character on numerous shows for the next 22 years. I never met Belzer, but I truly admired him. RIP."