Richard Belzer

Richard Belzer is an accomplished actor, comedian, and author, best known for his work as Detective John Munch on the television shows "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit." Belzer was born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and came from a middle-class family. However, his family's circumstances took a turn for the worse, and they lost everything. Belzer had a difficult relationship with his mother, who was physically abusive, and he often had to act as the class clown to avoid her anger. He was kicked out of several schools and even got expelled from Dean Junior College for leading a demonstration. Despite this, Belzer's early experiences laid the foundation for his successful career.

Before becoming an actor and comedian, Belzer tried his hand at various jobs, including jewelry salesman, census taker, dock worker, and reporter for the Bridgeport Post. Belzer's career as a stand-up comedian took off in the 1970s, and he became a regular at comedy clubs in New York City. He eventually landed a role on the television show "Saturday Night Live" as a featured player and writer. Belzer's portrayal of Detective John Munch, which he played for over two decades, earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase.

As an author, Belzer has written several books, including "I'm Not a Cop," a crime fiction novel co-written with Michael Black, which features Belzer as the mystery-solving protagonist. The sequel, "I'm Not a Psychic," was published in 2009. Belzer has also authored books on conspiracy theories, including "UFOs, JFK and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don't Have to Be Crazy to Believe in." In addition, he co-wrote "How to Be a Standup Comic" with Larry Charles and Rick Newman. Belzer's work as an author reflects his interests in crime, conspiracy, and comedy.