Law & Order SVU's Richard Belzer to bring music, laughs

STANHOPE — Most notably known for his role as Detective John Munch on NBC's Law & Order: SVU, Richard Belzer will be singing and cracking jokes at the Stanhope House on Black Friday, Nov. 23.

"Fans can expect a night of great music and comedy," said Belzer in a phone interview. "I have a band and we do musical parodies. Plus my opening act is a great band, called Speed Buggy. We are full service. We have people tapping their toes and laughing."

Belzer has been doing stand-up comedy since 1971, but says he was always a comedian.

"Probably when I first made people laugh," says Belzer of when he discovered he was funny. "(Laughter) is a highly addictive drug. I was always funny as a child, it was in my DNA I guess."

Always incorporating music into his act, Belzer says he has worked with a piano player since he began his stand-up career. It since evolved into a band where he sings, about 10 years ago. Belzer and his band perform various gigs across the country.

Almost as long as his comedic career, Belzer has portrayed the same character on television, Det. Munch for 20 years.

"I tied James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on 'Gunsmoke,'" said Belzer. "I have been playing John Munch for 20 years. Law enforcement wins again."

Playing the same character for decades is not something that bores Belzer, but in his opinion is considered a "dream."

"As any actor would tell you, it’s a gift playing a character—especially playing a character you enjoy playing and that writers understand," Belzer said. "And I greatly enjoy working with the people I work with. It's almost too good to be true. Because we all get along at work and we have great writers. After 14 years we must be doing something right. Plus we are on all over the world and have been recognized in Turkey, Italy and Spain."

Taking a look at Belzer's role as Det. Munch, it would seem their are many similarities in his character and real life.

"Well, the writers know me and they know my interest. So when it makes sense, they fold that into some stories," Belzer said. "My character doesn’t trust authority, but he’s a cop so he has to. He's a cop which is a very intriguing part to play because I have to uphold the law but I am also very suspicious of the law. It’s a great character for me."

Det. Munch is known for questioning the law and Belzer proves the same with the recent release of his New York Times best selling book "Dead Wrong: Straight Facts on the Country's Most Controversial Cover-Ups."

"It’s actually a history book not a conspiracy book," Belzer clarifies.

It looks into the deaths of well known faces such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Marilyn Monroe and President John F. Kennedy.

As for the future, Belzer is already hard at work.

"I am writing another book, which I am almost finished with and will be doing more live appearances," Belzer said. "I am working on a couple of other projects. There may be a series based on my book too."