Richard Belzer, who played the cynical and paranoid John Munch in the “Law and Order” series for more than 20 years, has passed away. He was 78.

Actress and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Laraine Newman broke the news of his passing first.

Belzer came to New York City following his first divorce, lived there with singer Shelley Ackerman, and started performing stand-up comedy at Pips, The Improv, and Catch a Rising Star.

He was a member of the comic troupe on Channel One that parodied television and served as the inspiration for the cult classic The Groove Tube, in which Belzer played a cast member of the fictitious TV series The Dealers.

From 1975 and 1980, Belzer made three guest appearances on Saturday Night Live as the show’s opening act.

Also, he served as Warren Zevon’s opening act on the tour in support of the album Excitable Boy.

Dalia Danoch: Meet Richard Belzer’s Second Wife

Between 1976 to 1978, following his first marriage, he was married to Dalia Danoch. Not much is known about Dalia his second wife.