After hearing him on The Howard Stern Show, executive producer Barry Levinson brought Belzer in to read for the part.

Source: https://thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/2023/02/20/richard-belzer-law-order/

Before goodnights, the show also paused for a brief tribute card for Richard Belzer, who died a week ago.

Source: https://decider.com/2023/02/26/snl-recap-woody-harrelson-monologue-covid-vaccine/

Belzer first only appeared as himself in season 3, episode 9, "S.

Source: https://collider.com/richard-belzer-john-munch-appearances/

Beneath his wise-guy cynicism, however, Belzer harbored hope that the world could become a better place, especially for the most vulnerable among us.

Source: https://www.salon.com/2023/02/25/richard-belzer-comedy-conspiracy-theory-munch/

Expelled from Dean Junior College in Massachusetts, Belzer embarked on a life of stand-up in New York in 1972.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/feb/19/richard-belzer-detective-john-munch-tv-dies

In a 2010 interview with AARP The Magazine, Mr. Belzer — who was a stand-up comic when he was not playing Munch — his television alter ego as “Lenny Bruce with a badge.”

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/19/arts/television/richard-belzer-dead.html

It goes without saying that Richard Belzer will be missed, and I'm sure there are a few showrunners and writers out there who had pipe dreams about giving Detective John Munch at least one more cameo in their series.

Source: https://www.cinemablend.com/television/chris-meloni-mariska-hargitay-and-more-mourn-the-death-of-law-and-order-svu-great-richard-belzer

Once, when an audience member shouted sarcastically "Nice jacket," Belzer responded immediately and without any mercy, "I got it on sale at your mother's vagina."

Source: https://www.salon.com/2023/02/25/richard-belzer-comedy-conspiracy-theory-munch/

Richard Belzer played Detective John Munch on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/20/briefing/biden-2024.html