SVU’ Marathon Honoring Richard Belzer To Air On USA Network

EXCLUSIVES: USA Network is running a Law & Order: SVU marathon in honor of Richard Belzer, who died this week at 78.

Titled “Munch-a-thon,” the marathon will feature 10 of Belzer’s best episodes. The actor and comedian played played against type as John Munch, a tough New York cop on the series after originating the character on Homicide: Life on the Street.

More from Deadlines

Related Stories

Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries

Related Stories

‘Law & Order: SVU’ Star Mariska Hargitay Remembers Richard Belzer, Reveals Her Nickname For Ice-T And Talks About Directing

Related Stories

‘Law & Order: SVU’ Family Mourns Richard Belzer: “How Lucky The Angels Are To Have You”

The episodes will begin at 4 pm ET/PT on Sunday, February 26, and run until 1 am In memoriam cards will be attached to each of them.

The episodes included in the marathon are “Remorse,” “Legacy,” “Manhunt,” “Parts,” “Uncle,” “Unorthodox,” “True Believers,” “Wonderland Story,” “Spring Awakening,” and “Fashionable Crimes .”

Belzer was cast as Detective John Munch in Homicide: Life on the Street in 1992. The acclaimed cop drama debuted after the 1993 Super Bowl and would air on NBC until 1998. He was one of four actors who remained in the cast throughout its seven seasons and its 2000 follow-up telefilm. After Homicide wrapped, he began to play Munch on Law & Order: SVUa role that lasted 20 seasons.

A statement from NBC and Universal Television following his death praised his work: “Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of watching Richard Belzer portrays Det. John Munch — whether on Homicide or Law & Order: SVU – over four decades will never forget how much he inhabited that beloved character to make it his own. His professionalism, talents and dedication to the craft made him a pillar in the industry, but it was his humor, compassion and loving heart that made him family. Our condolences go out to his loved ones as we join them in mourning his loss, but also in celebrating his memory.”

Law & Order franchise creator and producer Dick Wolf said in a statement on the actor’s death: ”Richard Belzer’s Detective John Munch is one of television’s iconic characters. I first worked with Richard on the Law & Order/Homicide crossover and loved the character so much, I told Tom [Fontana] that I wanted to make him one of the original characters on SVU. The rest is history. Richard brought humor and joy into all our lives, was the consummate professional and we will all miss him very much.”

Best of Deadlines

Sign up for Deadline’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.