Belzer is the author of four books, the last two of which were a crime fiction series co-written with Michael Black that featured Belzer as the mystery-solving protagonist. I’m Not a Cop, the first of the two, was published in 2008, followed by the sequel, I’m Not a Psychic, in 2009. Belzer penned UFOs, JFK and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don’t Have to Be Crazy to Believe in 2000, and co-authored How to Be a Standup Comic in 1988 with “Borat” director and writer, Larry Charles, and Catch a Rising Star owner Rick Newman.
Wrestler Hulk Hogan hurt him while demonstrating a wrestling move on a television show called "Hot Properties" . He was knocked unconscious and required stitches on his head. He sued Hogan for $5 million, but later settled out of court.
Is a frequent guest on "The Howard Stern Radio Show" .
Became the third person to play the same character in six different prime-time series, playing Detective John Munch in "Homicide: Life on the Street" (originating series), "Law & Order" (crossover), "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" (crossover), "The X Files" (crossover), "The Beat" (guest appearance in the short-lived UPN series), and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" . He followed John Ratzenberger and George Wendt , who played Cliff Clavin and Norm Peterson in "Cheers" , "St. Elsewhere" , "The Tortellis" , "Wings" , "The Simpsons" , and "Frasier" . Belzer upped his record to seven series with a cameo appearance in the 4th-to-last episode of David Simon s HBO series "The Wire" {Took (#5.7)} ; the appearance brought the character of Munch full circle as the character was born out of Simons first series, Homicide, and in the scene he is hanging out in a police bar commenting on his experience owning a bar, which he did in Homicide.
Has appeared on the March 25, 1978 episode of "Saturday Night Live" with Christopher Lee as the host and musical guest Meat Loaf.
Has appeared on the October 2, 1976 episode of "Saturday Night Live" with Eric Idle as the host and musical guests George Harrison , Joe Cocker and Stuff.
Has played himself in the musical drama movie Fame .
Auditioned for the role of Groucho Marx in the Tommy Tune production "A Day in Hollywood, a Night in the Ukraine". Belzer taught himself two songs from the 1930s ("Satin Doll" and "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"), but did not get the role.
Was going to appear in Chevy Chase s movie, Modern Problems , but scheduling conflicts could not be worked out. The date for the shooting of his scene was postponed twice and the day his scene was supposed to be shot, Belzer had a lucrative club date in New York, which was postponed at the last minute.
Testified on behalf of a low-level criminal who ran onto the set of "Homicide: Life on the Street" while fleeing actual Baltimore police and surrendered to the actors; Belzer said the look on the guys face was sufficient punishment.
Cousin of Henry Winkler.
Has appeared in episodes of three different series with Jerry Orbach : "Law & Order" , "Homicide: Life on the Street" , and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" .
Has appeared in episodes of three different series with Jesse L. Martin : "Law & Order" , "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" .
His character Detective John Munch, whom he has played continuously on "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" since January 1993, is currently the longest-running character on U.S. prime-time drama television.
Was born on the same day that Anne Frank and her family were arrested by the Gestapo.
Has appeared in episodes of four different series with Sam Waterston : "Law & Order" , "Homicide: Life on the Street" , "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" .
Stepfather of Bree Benton and Jessica Benton.
Was an assistant emcee for the Comedy Central Presents: The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Rob Reiner.
Appears on the cover of Billy Joel s album "Turnstiles".
Was one of the original emcees at Rick Newman s Catch a Rising Star, along with Elayne Boosler , in the mid to late 1970s.
He lives in France and speaks French fluently.
Was the audience warm-up comedian for "Saturday Night Live" in its premiere season and made three guest appearances on the show in 1976 and 1978.
Survived testicular cancer in 1984.
A paper boy in his youth in Bridgeport, Connecticut, he later worked as a reporter for the Bridgeport Post and several other newspapers around the country. Other jobs included teacher, census-taker, jewelry salesman and dockworker.
Is a supporter of the North Shore Animal League. However his poodle fox terrier, Bebe, was adopted in France when he followed Belz home one day. Bebe is his near-constant companion, especially at public events.
Friends with George Carlin , Richard Lewis and Chevy Chase.
Was considered for the role of Clark Griswold in National Lampoons Vacation , which went to Chevy Chase.
Divides his time between New York City and his home in France.
Is the only actor in television history to play the same character (Detective John Munch) in ten different live action series: "Homicide: Life on the Street" , "Law & Order" , "The X Files" , "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" , "The Beat" , "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" , "Arrested Development" , "The Wire" , "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "30 Rock" .
Second husband of Harlee McBride.
Has appeared with Andre Braugher and Zeljko Ivanek on three different series: "Law & Order" , "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" .
During one week in November 1997, he played the same character (Detective John Munch) on three different series: "Law & Order" {Baby, Its You (#8.6)} on 12 November 1997, "Homicide: Life on the Street" {Baby, Its You (#6.5)} on 14 November 1997 and "The X Files" {Unusual Suspects (#5.3)} on 16 November 1997.
Has appeared in 119 of the 122 episodes of "Homicide: Life on the Street" , more than anyone else. The only episodes in which he does not appear are "Homicide: Life on the Street" {The Damage Done (#4.20)} , "Homicide: Life on the Street" {The Subway (#6.7)} and "Homicide: Life on the Street" {Lines of Fire (#7.20)} .
Along with Kyle Secor , Clark Johnson , Yaphet Kotto and Sharon Ziman , he is one of only five actors to appear in both the first and last episodes of "Homicide: Life on the Street" : "Homicide: Life on the Street" {Gone for Goode } and "Homicide: Life on the Street" {Forgive Us Our Trespasses (#7.22)} .
Do you know what happens when you play a country song backwards? You get your wife back, your dog back and your job back. .
