A social misfit, was kicked out of every school he ever attended, due to his uncontrollable wit. His mother (Frances) died of breast cancer when Richard was 18. His father (Charles) committed suicide when he was 22. A dedication is written to him in Richard Belzer's "UFO's, JFK, and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don't Have To Be Crazy To Believe" (Ballantine Books, 1999).
Wrestler Hulk Hogan hurt him while demonstrating a wrestling move on a 1986 TV show called 'Hot Properties'. He was knocked unconscious and required stitches on his head. He sued Hulk for $5 million, but later settled out of court. Is a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Radio Show. Became the third person to play the same character in six different prime-time TV series, playing Detective John Munch in Homicide: Life on the Street (originating series), Law & Order (crossovers), "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" (2005)_ (crossover), "X Files, The" (1993)_ (crossover), The Beat (guest-appearance in the short-lived UPNseries), and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999)_ , where he currently stars. He followed John Ratzenberger and George Wendt who played Cliff Clavin and Norm Peterson in Cheers 1982-1993, St. Elsewhere 1985, The Tortellis 1987, Wings 1990, The Simpsons 1994 and Frasier 2002. Appeared on the 25 March 1978 episode of SNL 25 with Christopher Lee as the host and musical guest, Meat Loaf. Appeared on the 2 October 1976 episode of SNL 25 with Eric Idle as the host and musical guests George Harrison, Joe Cocker, and Stuff. Played himself in the movie Fame. Robert De Niro studied Belzer for his role in The King of Comedy. Auditioned for the role of Groucho Marx in the Tommy Tune production "A Day in Hollywood, a Night in the Ukraine." Belzer taught himself two songs from the 1930s ("Satin Doll" and "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"), but did not get the part. Was going to appear in Chevy Chase's movie, Modern Problems, but scheduling conflicts could not be worked out. The date for the shooting of his scene was postponed twice and the day his scene was supposed to be shot, Belzer had a lucrative club date in New York, which was postponed at the last minute. Testified on behalf of a low-level criminal who ran onto the set of Homicide: Life on the Street while fleeing actual Baltimore police and surrendered to the actors; Belzer said the look on the guy's face was sufficient punishment Cousin of Henry Winkler. Appeared in episodes of three different series with Jerry Orbach: Law & Order, Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Has appeared in episodes of three different television series with Jesse L. Martin: Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Trial by Jury. His character Detective John Munch, which he has played continuously on Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since January 1993, is currently the longest-running character on American primetime drama television. Was born on the same day that Anne Frank and her family were arrested by the Gestapo. His aunt and uncle (Henry Winkler's parents) were survivors of the Holocaust. Has appeared in episodes of four different series with Sam Waterston: Law & Order, Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Stepfather of Bree Benton. Was an assistant emcee for the Comedy Central Presents: The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Rob Reiner. He is the only actor to play the same character, Detective John Munch, in eight different series: Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order, The X-Files, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Beat, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, Arrested Development and Sesame Street. He appeared on the latter as a Muppet version of the character in a sketch called "Law & Order: Special Letters Unit". Appears on the cover of Billy Joel's "Turnstiles" album (1976).