Law & Order star and Hollywood icon Richard Belzer passes away at the age of 78.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Belzer passed away on Feb. 19 at his home in Bozouls in southwest France. Writer and longtime friend Bill Scheft confirmed the news, stating that "He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, 'F**k you, motherf**ker.'"

Belzer, a Connecticut native, began his career as a stand-up comic in New York City before his work with the Channel One comedy group became the basis for the 1974 cult classic The Groove Tube. The film helped launch Belzer's career to new heights, as did various film appearances and a part on the National Lampoon Radio Hour alongside comedy legends such as Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, John Belushi and Harold Ramis.

The comedy veteran's television career took off in the early 90s with recurring appearances on The Flash and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Belzer's most famous role, which subsequently cemented him as a household name, was as police detective John Munch, who was introduced on 1993's Homicide: Life on the Street. Belzer would go on to play Munch for six years on the series before transitioning with the character to 1999's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. John Munch became a pop culture phenomenon in his own right, with Belzer having played the role across Homicide, multiple Law & Order series, and even crossed over to The X-Files, The Beat, Arrested Development, The Wire, 30 Rock and Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

In 2009's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Unofficial Companion, Belzer recounted his hopes to continue the role on in Law & Order after only a handful of appearances. "When Homicide was canceled, I was in France with my wife and she said, 'Let's open a bottle of champagne and toast: You did this character for seven years," Belzer recounted. "And then I remembered that Benjamin Bratt was leaving Law & Order, and so I called my manager and said, '[Creator and Executive Producer] Call Dick Wolf — maybe Munch can become Briscoe's partner,' because we had teamed for the crossover." Regarding the character's multi-show appeal, Belzer explained in a 2008 interview that "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 recognizable and lovable as the sarcastic detective and smart-ass."

Richard Belzer is survived by his third wife, actress Harlee McBride, and stepdaughters Jessica and Bree.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter