Richard Jay Belzer is an American actor, stand-up comedian, and writer, born on August 4, 1944, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Belzer attended Dean College and began his career as a stand-up comedian in the 1970s, performing in clubs in New York City.
Belzer’s television debut came in 1980, when he appeared as a recurring character on the hit NBC series “Hill Street Blues.” He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the acerbic Detective John Munch on the NBC series “Homicide: Life on the Street” (1993-1999) and the spin-off series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1999-2016).
In addition to his acting work, Belzer has written several books, including a series of crime novels featuring the character Detective Munch, as well as a memoir titled “I Am Not a Cop!” He has also been a frequent guest on talk shows and news programs, offering his opinions on a variety of topics.
Belzer has been married twice and has no children. He is an outspoken political activist, particularly in the areas of animal rights and the 9/11 truth movement. In 2014, he announced his retirement from acting, citing health reasons. However, he has made occasional appearances since then.