Richard Belzer abandoned “Law & Order” and Hollywood for a peaceful existence in the French countryside. He resided in a beautiful home surrounded by nature with his wife, Harlee McBride, and their four dogs. The actor claims that his canines saved his life.
Before passing away at 78 in February 2023, Richard Belzer succeeded in the entertainment business as a comedian and actor, best known for his roles in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
Belzer had already been dealing with some problems before his death. According to his close friend Bill Scheft, his last remarks were a series of joking curses. Belzer died in his home in Bozouls, France.
Richard Belzer during the “V For Vendetta” New York City premiere at The Rose Theatre – Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City, New York. | Source: Getty Images
The mayor of their small village, Jean-Luc Calmelly, gave tribute to the actor, labeling him well-known among locals for his celebrity and his friendliness and kindness to others.
Years before his death, Belzer said his final goodbye to his renowned character, Detective John Munch” on “SVU.” The show’s chief producer, Warren Leight, admitted that Belzer’s departure was difficult for him. He stated:
“In the real world, which we try very hard to simulate, NYPD has mandatory retirement before your 63rd birthday, and we were trying to figure out how to deal with it. [NYPD does it] because you can’t have 65-year-old guys running after guys.”
Despite having to quit the police force, Belzer’s character became an investigator for the district attorney’s office. The actor’s 21-year run as Munch had unfinished business in another area.
Richard Belzer as Detective John Munch on “Law & Order” Season 10. | Source: Getty Images
Similarly, executive director Barry Levinson of “Homicide: Life in the Street” praised Belzer’s portrayal of the character. Notably, he liked the cadence with which Belzer spoke.
Belzer, born in Connecticut on August 4, 1944, has spent the last few years residing in the beautiful countryside of France with his wife, Harlee McBride.
Munch made his television début on “Homicide: Life in the Street” in 1993. Belzer and his wife celebrated the show’s cancellation with champagne after he had played the part for seven years. They had no idea his character would continue for a long time.
The well-known character was first featured in the original “Law & Order.” “Law & Order: Trial by Jury,” “Arrested Development,” “The X-Files,” “The Beat,” “The Wire,” “30 Rock,” and “Sesame Street” all featured Belzer reprising his character.
Richard Belzer and Harlee McBride during the 13th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at New York Marriott Marquis in New York City, New York. | Source: Getty Images
Belzer, fortunately, grew fond of his on-screen character. “He is very close to how I used to be. It is very pleasing and luxurious to have a character like you,” Bezler said. His last episode of “Law & Order: SVU” aired in 2016.
When Richard Belzer died, the official “Law & Order” Twitter website paid tribute to him with a post that both mourned and celebrated his memory. “Anyone who had the pleasure of watching Richard Belzer portray Det. According to the post, ” John Munch will never forget how much he inhabited that beloved character to make it his own,” according to the post.
Richard Belzer and Harlee McBride during the 13th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at New York Marriott Marquis in New York City, New York. | Source: Getty Images
Life in the Wilderness with Wife Belzer, born in Connecticut on August 4, 1944, has spent the last few years residing in the beautiful countryside of France with his wife, Harlee McBride.
After wrestler Hulk Hogan choked Beltzer during a chat show in 1985, he and his wife moved to France. Beltzer passed out and wound up in stitches even though the scene was only for a stunt.
McBride, born on November 20, 1948, is also an actress and director. She, like her spouse, has some acting credits. McBride starred as Dr. Alyssa Dyer in 22 episodes of “Homicide: Life on the Street” with her husband in the 1990s.
Richard Belzer, Django, and Harlee McBride during Cesar’s Canine Cuisine Sponsors PAWS for Style at Crobar on April 4, 2006, at Crobar in New York City, New York. | Source: Getty Images
Her other film credits include “Young Lady Chatterley II,” “Attack on Entebbe,” “Days of Our Lives,” “Most Wanted,” and “The Rockford Files.”
Beltzer wedded McBride in 1985, despite having previously been married twice. Beltzer was married to Gail Susan Ross from 1996 to 1972. After their split, he married Dalia Gnoch in 1976 and divorced her in 1978. McBride was previously married to thespian Garth Benton.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
Beltzer was a father figure to McBride’s children, Jessica Erin Benton and Shannon Bree Benton, even though he never had real children.
After wrestler Hulk Hogan choked Beltzer during a chat show in 1985, he and his wife moved to France. Beltzer passed out and wound up in stitches even though the scene was only for a stunt.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
“He came very close to killing me. A sports medicine expert told me that if I had fallen a few inches either way, I could have been crippled for life; I could have been dead,” Belzer said. He finally sued the WWF star and was awarded a sum of money that was sent to their French home.
Belzer and McBride’s estate was in Bozouls, a small village with an estimated 3,000 inhabitants in 2013. They obtained a residence permit in 2021 and made the house their main residence.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
Despite the language impediment, Belzer did his best to foster camaraderie among his neighbors and would frequently converse with the locals. Those who knew him and his wife said they were well-integrated members of society.
He and McBride spend a lot of time with their four beautiful dogs, who are like their children. His tweets demonstrate that the couple’s pets are frequently included in their activities.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
The couple’s beautiful country home is situated on a plot of land in the heart of Roquefort cheese country and is surrounded by lush greenery. It was close to the 12th-century Sainte Fauste Church in the hamlet.
Belzer has shared glimpses of his house several times, leaving fans in awe of its tranquil beauty. The lovely church could also be seen in the backdrop of his home photos.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
There are several trees, vines, and vibrant flowers outside Belzer’s house, including roses. His wife is especially fond of the natural surroundings because she likes caring for her plants. In one of his tweets, Belzer disclosed that McBride gardens even in the winter. His tweet included a photo of his wife in motion.
In addition, the couple maintains a big pile of wood chunks for cold days and nights. The actor previously posted a photo of their well-kept stock, captioning it, “Harlee’s wood pile… I helped (A little)!”
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
Apart from the house, it is the people that keep Belzer happy. He and McBride spend a lot of time with their four beautiful dogs, who are like their children. His tweets demonstrate that the couple’s pets are frequently included in their activities.
Lounging in their plunge pool with a cold glass of wine is one of their favorite ways to unwind. As Belzer put it, the adorable dogs were all around them, having a “pool party,” as Belzer put it.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
One of his pets was a poodle-fox terrier mix, Bebe, who accompanied him to red-carpet events. He attended a viewing of “Look” with his fur dad in 2007.
When it comes to kitchen duties, McBride is in control of the cooking. “The master at work,” Belzer captioned one of his kitchen pictures of his wife.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
The couple also hosts dinners in their house, as evidenced by a lovely dinner table set with several plates for guests. Whatever the activity, Belzer and McBride cherish every minute spent together.
Dogs extended his life.
Even though Belzer never had children of his own, he had four dogs whom he loved like children. One of his pets was a poodle-fox terrier mix, Bebe, who accompanied him to red-carpet events. He attended a viewing of “Look” with his fur dad in 2007.
However, the manager told the actor that Bebe was not permitted to enter the venue during the event. Even though Bebe was a constant companion and was completely harmless, he was still not permitted and had to remain in the car with Belzer’s driver.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
Bebe was also well-known among the actors and crew of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” as she frequently attended tapings.
“He has total freedom on the set,” Belzer said. “We’ll all be working hard, and then he’ll walk by, and everyone will be like, ‘Aw, Bebe!’ All these big tough guys get mushy around him. He can change the moods of 120 people on set.”
Belzer also attributes his extended life to Bebe. While he confessed to having a temper, his emotions were under control because his dog picked up on it and calmed him down. He doesn’t flare up as much as he used to because of Bebe.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
Belzer appeared to get along well with his stepdaughters, Jessica and Bree. The sisters were in France to say their final goodbyes to the actor.
Bebe was an abused and abandoned pup when Belzer brought him in. Their similar backgrounds allowed them to bond, but Bebe’s personality and intelligence won Belzer’s heart.
Tulip, Django, and Lacey, Belzer and McBride’s three other dog offspring, are much larger than Bebe.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
An animal rights activist, Belzer donated to several non-profit groups, including the North Shore Animal League. He urged people to support the no-kill rescue organization and adopt dogs. Belzer also backed groups worried about gun control and violence.
Aside from his puppies, Belzer appeared to get along well with his stepdaughters, Jessica and Bree. The sisters were in France to say their final goodbyes to the actor.
Belzer grew up in an out-of-the-ordinary household. His interest in comedy stemmed from a childhood spent with an abusive mother who physically abused him and his sibling. Belzer claims that his mother always had a reason to put a hand on them, but she would be happier if he made her laugh.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
While many people found his jokes amusing, they frequently landed him in trouble at school. He was expelled from Dean Junior College in Massachusetts after organizing demonstrations in the area around the school.
Belzer wrote several works, including “How to Be a Stand-Up Comic,” “UFOs, JFK, and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don’t Have to Be Crazy to Believe,” and “I Am Nat a Cop!: A Novel.”
Belzer worked several jobs after finishing his education and became a journalist for The Bridgeport Post newspaper. Only after a series of tragedies did he take a chance with a comedy career.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
Charles, his father, attempted suicide three years after his mother died of cancer. While Belzer was successful in saving him, Charles was successful a year later. Sadly, Belzer’s sibling suffered the same fate after his wife died in 2014.
Belzer’s first job in the industry was with a Channel One East Village comedy group. Belzer eventually secured roles in a police drama parody. Soon after, he began performing stand-up comedy at New York venues such as the Improv, Pips, and Catch a Rising Star.
On the “National Lampoon Radio Hour,” he appeared alongside John Belushi, Bill Murray, and Gilda Radner. He was asked to be the warm-up comedian for “Saturday Night Live” when it first aired.
Twitter/ Richard Beltzer
“They asked me to do some sketches and do the warm-ups. I just did what I did in nightclubs,” he said. I tried to improvise and ad-lib as much as I could. And it was fascinating doing that in a television studio and not in a nightclub.”
After “Saturday Night Live,” Belzer appeared on other shows, but his role as Munch changed his life. Munch made him a broadcast fixture and a global celebrity. The part also provided the actor with numerous opportunities.
Belzer also wrote and released books, including “How to Be a Stand-Up Comic,” “UFOs, JFK, and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don’t Have to Be Crazy to Believe,” and “I Am Nat a Cop!: A Novel.” He left behind a legacy that many will surely remember.
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