Mariska Hargitay Pays Tribute to Richard Belzer

Mariska Hargitay is mourning the lack of an expensive good friend and former solid member.

On February 19, Deadline introduced that longtime actor and comic Richard Belzer died on the age of 78. Identified for engaged on reveals reminiscent of Saturday Night time Dwell, followers received to know him for his portrayal of Detective John Munch for 17 seasons on Legislation and Order: SVU.

Shortly after the information about Richard’s loss of life broke, Mariska shared a heartfelt tribute to her good friend on Instagram. “Goodbye my pricey, pricey good friend,” she wrote in a put up. “I’ll miss you, your distinctive mild and your singular tackle this unusual world. I really feel blessed to have recognized you and adored you and labored with you, facet by facet, for thus a few years.”

She continued: “How fortunate the angels are to have you ever. I can hear them laughing already. I really like so very a lot, now and perpetually.”

Reacting to Mariska’s message, Legislation and Order: SVU followers instantly swarmed her feedback part. Of us rallied round to share their condolences for the loss within the Legislation and Order household.

“What a legend. Might his reminiscence be a blessing 🤍,” one particular person wrote on Instagram. “He was a tremendous actor, comic and particular person on the whole. He influenced so many lives. Might he relaxation in [peace] ❤️,” one other added. “Really unhappy. Sending love and prayers for everybody that knew him,” a distinct person replied.

Whereas Richard was well-known for his work on Legislation and Order: SVU, it wasn’t the one place he portrayed Detective Munch. His first time showing within the Dick Wolf-created franchise goes again to the unique Legislation and Order, the place he made his character debut within the season 6 episode “Allure Metropolis.” After portraying the position from 1996 to 2000, he jumped ship to hitch the Mariska-led spinoff. He additionally performed Munch in Legislation and Order: Trial by Jury and the long-running drama Murder: Life on the Road.

Due to Richard’s longstanding relationship with the procedural dramas, the franchise’s official Instagram additionally shared a heartwarming tribute to the actor.

“Anybody who ever had the pleasure of watching Richard Belzer painting Det. John Munch — whether or not on Murder or Legislation & Order: SVU – over 4 a long time will always remember how a lot he inhabited that beloved character to make it his personal,” the present’s account wrote. “His professionalism, abilities and dedication to the craft made him a pillar within the trade, however it was his humor, compassion and loving coronary heart that made him household.”

The caption concluded: “Our condolences exit to his family members as we be part of them in mourning his loss, but additionally in celebrating his reminiscence.”