Richard Belzer Lived Last Years in an Old House Caring for Wife – 4 Dogs Became His ‘Children’ & Prolonged His Life
Richard Belzer left “Law & Order” and Hollywood for a quiet life in the French countryside. He lived with his wife, Harlee McBride, and their four dogs in a beautiful home surrounded by nature. According to the actor, his dogs prolonged his life.
Before Richard Belzer passed away at age 78 in February 2023, he found success in the entertainment industry as a comedian and actor, most recognized for his roles in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
Belzer already battled several issues leading up to his demise. According to his good friend, Bill Scheft, his last words included a lot of joking curses. Belzer passed away in his Bozouls, France, residence.
Jean-Luc Calmelly, the mayor of their small village, paid tribute to the actor, calling him famous amongst residents of the area, not only for his celebrity status but also for his friendliness and kindness towards others.
Years before his passing, Belzer bid farewell to his famous character, Detective John Munch” on “SVU.” Warren Leight, the show’s executive producer, admitted to finding difficulty in Belzer’s departure. He said:
“In the real world, which we try very hard to simulate, NYPD has mandatory retirement before your 63rd birthday, and we were trying to figure out how to deal with it. [NYPD does it] because you can’t have 65-year-old guys running after guys.”
Although Belzer’s character had to leave the police department, he joined the D.A.’s office as an investigator. The actor’s 21 years as Munch still had an open ending in a different field.
Similarly, “Homicide: Life in the Street” executive producer Barry Levinson also liked how Belzer portrayed the character. Notably, he was fond of the rhythm of the way Belzer spoke.
Belzer, born on August 4, 1944, in Connecticut, spent the last few years living in the beautiful countryside in France with his wife, Harlee McBride.
Munch first debuted on “Homicide: Life in the Street” in 1993. When the show was canceled, Belzer and his wife celebrated with champagne as he played the role for seven years. Little did they know that his character would live on for many more.
The famous character appeared in the original “Law & Order.” Belzer reprised his role on “Law & Order: Trial by Jury,” “Arrested Development,” “The X-Files,” “The Beat,” “The Wire,” “30 Rock,” and “Sesame Street.”
Fortunately, Belzer grew fond of his on-screen persona. “He is very close to how I used to be. It is very pleasing and luxurious to have a character just like you,” Bezler said. His last appearance on “Law & Order: SVU” was in 2016.
At the time of his passing, the official “Law & Order” Twitter page paid tribute to Richard Belzer with a post that mourned his loss and celebrated his memory. The post read:
Belzer, born on August 4, 1944, in Connecticut, spent the last few years living in the beautiful countryside in France with his wife, Harlee McBride.
He and his wife relocated to France after wrestler Hulk Hogan choked Beltzer during a talk show in 1985. While the scene was only for a stunt, Beltzer passed out and ended up in stitches.
McBride is also an actress and producer, born November 20, 1948. Like her husband, she also has several on-screen credits. In the ’90s, McBride shared the screen with her husband as she appeared as Dr. Alyssa Dyer in 22 episodes of “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
Her other on-screen appearances include “Young Lady Chatterley,” “Young Lady Chatterley II,” “Raid on Entebbe,” “Days of Our Lives,” “Most Wanted,” and “The Rockford Files.”
Beltzer tied the knot with McBride in 1985, although he had been married twice. From 1996 to 1972, Beltzer was wed to Gail Susan Ross. Following their divorce, he married Dalia Gnoch in 1976 and separated in 1978. Similarly, McBride was once married to actor Garth Benton.
Although Beltzer never had biological children, he became a father figure to McBride’s kids, Jessica Erin Benton and Shannon Bree Benton.
He and his wife relocated to France after wrestler Hulk Hogan choked Beltzer during a talk show in 1985. While the scene was only for a stunt, Beltzer passed out and ended up in stitches.
“He came very close to killing me. I was told by a sports medicine expert that if I had fallen a few inches either way, I could have been crippled for life; I could have been dead,” Belzer said. He eventually sued the WWF star and received a sum of money that went to their home in France.
Belzer and McBride’s estate was located in a small village in Bozouls with an estimated 3,000 residents as of 2013. They received a residence permit in 2021 and officially called the house their permanent home.
