Richard Belzer, the edgy comedian known for his role as Law & Order detective John Munch, has died at 78.
His last words were reported to be “F**k you, motherf**ker.”
Belzer died early on Sunday at his home in the South of France, his friend and writer Bill Scheft told The Hollywood Reporter, the New York Post reports.
“He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, ‘F**k you, motherf**ker’,” Scheft said.
The actor played the role of Munch on multiple shows, including Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: SVU, and had cameos in other shows such as The X Files.
Belzer portrayed Munch for 23 years, beginning in 1993 and ending in 2016 when he retired from acting. He also appeared as Munch in shows as far-ranging as The Wire and Arrested Development.
“I never asked anyone to be on their show. So it’s doubly flattering to me to see me depicted in a script and that I’m so recognisable and loveable as the sarcastic detective and smart-ass,” Belzer told The Comic’s Comic in 2008.
“Much to my delight, because he is a great character for me to play, it’s fun for me. So I’m not upset about typecast at all.”
While known for his jokes, Belzer’s life was plagued by tragedy: both his father and brother died by suicide. He also survived a bout of testicular cancer in 1983. His cause of death was not immediately known.
He is survived by his wife, actor Harlee McBride, and two stepdaughters.
This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission