Well-known comedian, actor, and author Richard Belzer passed away on February 19, 2023, at the age of 78. Although the cause of death has not been revealed so far, his friend Bill Scheft said that he was suffering from many health problems, including circulatory and respiratory issues.The official Facebook page of the NBC series Law & Order, where Belzer also appeared, paid tribute to him by sharing a picture and writing that all those who were watching Homicide or Law & Order: Special Victims Unit were well aware of Belzer’s flawless performance. The post continued:“His professionalism, talents and dedication to the craft made him a pillar in the industry, but it was his humor, compassion and loving heart that made him family. Our condolences go out to his loved ones as we join them in mourning his loss, but also in celebrating his memory.”As per news outlet Heavy, Richard contracted testicular cancer in 1983, but was able to survive it. According to The Washington Post, Belzer found out about cancer while he was bathing one day. He was 40 at the time. In an interview with The Post, he said that he was trying to find a cure to the same.Opoyi also reported that the actor had to wear dark glasses because his eyes were sensitive to light. An official entry on the website of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago reads: "By the way, Richard always wears sunglasses— not to be cool, but because his eyes are very sensitive to the light. He doesn’t need sunglasses to be cool!"Netizens pay tribute on TwitterRichard Belzer gained recognition all these years for his appearances in various films and TV shows. Twitter was flooded with tributes when people heard about his demise:Marlee Matlin@MarleeMatlinRichard 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.12513965Richard 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. https://t.co/oI4PzLr04IMike Beauvais@MikeBeauvaisRichard Belzer appeared as Det. Munch on Homicide, Law & Order, SVU, Trial By Jury, The Wire, 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Beat, Arrested Development and The X-Files among others and was the first actor to play the same character on 10 different live-action shows.RIP140254113Richard Belzer appeared as Det. Munch on Homicide, Law & Order, SVU, Trial By Jury, The Wire, 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Beat, Arrested Development and The X-Files among others and was the first actor to play the same character on 10 different live-action shows.RIP https://t.co/C3kXGhbq2ZLaraine Newman@larainenewmanI'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing. 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.303954010I'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing. 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. https://t.co/u23co0JPA2donal logue@donallogueRichard Belzer- brilliant comedian, actor, and first-class gentleman. RIP legend.63342Richard Belzer- brilliant comedian, actor, and first-class gentleman. RIP legend. https://t.co/ntJxPMaQHYThe Essential Dick Gregory@IAmDickGregoryHeartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Richard Belzer @MRbelzer I’m saddened to hear of his passing. Richard had a great friendship with my father. We are losing a lot of independent thinkers. Hats off to you Richard Belzer for always advocating for truth!! #rip32560Heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Richard Belzer @MRbelzer I’m saddened to hear of his passing. Richard had a great friendship with my father. We are losing a lot of independent thinkers. Hats off to you Richard Belzer for always advocating for truth!! #rip https://t.co/6S5ellRaNuKaylah ❀@simply_lovekThis has got to be one of my fav scene from SVU. RIP Richard Belzer 43862This has got to be one of my fav scene from SVU. RIP Richard Belzer 💔 https://t.co/IrnfePznzDSharon Knolle@sknolleOne of the greatest things to ever happen on TV: the "Law & Order" crossover eps with "Homicide: Life on the Street," which gave us the priceless duo of Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and John Munch (Richard Belzer). RIP, kings.1231193One of the greatest things to ever happen on TV: the "Law & Order" crossover eps with "Homicide: Life on the Street," which gave us the priceless duo of Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and John Munch (Richard Belzer). RIP, kings. https://t.co/0Jk4DeW5pRRex Chapman🏇🏼@RexChapman29-years ago he told us what was coming. RIP, Richard Belzer… twitter.com/garylarsonesqu…Crystal Voyager@garylarsonesqueA reminder that Richard Belzer correctly predicted the future in 19941186170A reminder that Richard Belzer correctly predicted the future in 1994 https://t.co/WVY3ro3WpM29-years ago he told us what was coming. RIP, Richard Belzer… twitter.com/garylarsonesqu…Robert F. Kennedy Jr@RobertKennedyJrRIP Richard Belzer. Thanks for a beautiful friendship, four decades of unwavering support, a lifetime of dissent, subversion and resistance to undeserving authority and more laughs than I can count!3650357RIP Richard Belzer. Thanks for a beautiful friendship, four decades of unwavering support, a lifetime of dissent, subversion and resistance to undeserving authority and more laughs than I can count! https://t.co/Fo2BAs5gTjAl Franken@alfrankenRichard Belzer was a hilarious comedian who other comedians loved as a comedian and as a friend. RIP, Belz.5612232Richard Belzer was a hilarious comedian who other comedians loved as a comedian and as a friend. RIP, Belz.Richard Belzer played important roles in various films and TV showsRichard Belzer began his career as a comedian and gained recognition for his appearances on Saturday Night Live from 1975 to 1980. He then joined the films in the 70s and made his debut with the 1974 independent comedy film, The Groove Tube.He continued to appear in more films like Fame, Café Flesh, Night Shift, The Wrong Guys, The Big Picture, The Bonfire of the Vanities, The Puppet Masters, Species II, The Comedian, and more.Richard Belzer appeared in various films and TV shows (Image via Rodrigo Vaz/Getty Images)Belzer appeared in an episode of the children’s television series, Sesame Street, and as Joe Kline in 10 episodes of the CBS television series, The Flash. He was popular for his performance as detective John Munch in 122 episodes of the NBC police drama series, Homicide: Life on the Street.He then appeared as John Munch in 325 episodes of the NBC series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.He also featured in various other shows like Moonlighting, Miami Vice, Tattingers, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, The X-Files, Mad About You, and more.Belzer is survived by his third wife Harlee McBride and two stepdaughters, Bree Benton and Jessica.