Richard Belzer (born August 4, 1944) is an American stand up comic and actor.
Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, he grew up with his parents and older brother. He worked as a paperboy and became known in school for his uncontrollable wit. After high school he was a reporter for the Bridgeport Post . He unsuccessfully attended junior college and later enlisted in the Army. He soon realized it was a mistake and tried to get out.
After the Army, Belzer moved to New York City and began working as a stand-up comic. He participated in the Channel One comedy group that satirized television and became the basis for the cult movie The Groove Tube .
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Belzer became an occasional film actor. He is noted for his small roles in Fame, Night Shift, and Scarface.
In the 1990s, Belzer appeared frequently on television. He was a regular on The Flash television show. He followed that success with starring roles on Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, playing the same character (John Munch) in both series. In addition, he has also played Munch in episodes of three other series:
On April 15, 2005, he became the first actor to play the same character on six different shows when he appeared on Law and Order: Trial by Jury as Detective John Munch.
Belzer and Henry Winkler (most notably the Fonz on Happy Days) are cousins.
