Richard Belzer,

Comedian and Jewish TV cop for all seasons, dies at 78

Richard Belzer, the stand-up comedian who left an indelible mark on television in the character of Det.

In the 1970s, Belzer served as the warm-up comedian for SNL and appeared multiple times in its early seasons in bit parts.

He made memorable appearances in films like Fame and Author! Author! In the 1980s.

Belzer then moved onto a short-lived gig as the host of the cable TV show Hot Properties, where he interviewed Leonard Cohen, and was put in a knocked out by Hulk Hogan (Belzer sued the wrestler, the parties settled).

But Belzer’s most curious contribution to the culture was what began as a gig on Homicide: Life on the Street, where he played the ever-cynical Baltimore Police Department Det.

Belzer died Sunday at his home in Bozouls in southern France, his longtime friend Bill Scheft told The Hollywood Repoter.

Comedian Laraine Newman first announced his death on Twitter.

The actor Henry Winkler, Belzer's cousin, wrote "Rest in peace Richard."

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