<Tr> <Th> Spouse </Th> <Td> Gail Susan Ross (m . 1966; div. 1972) Dalia Danoch (m . 1976; div. 1978) Harlee McBride (m . 1985) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Notable works and roles </Th> <Td> John Munch on Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit </Td> </Tr> <P> Richard Jay Belzer (born August 4, 1944) is an American stand - up comedian, author, and actor . He is best known for his role as John Munch, whom he has portrayed as a regular cast member on the NBC police drama series Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as in guest appearances on a number of other series . He portrayed the character for 23 years from 1993 to 2016 . </P> <P> Belzer was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Frances and Charles Belzer, a tobacco and candy retailer . He grew up in a Jewish family . He described his mother as frequently physically abusive, and declared that his comedy career began when trying to make his mother laugh in order to distract her from abusing him and his brother . After graduating from Fairfield Warde High School, Belzer worked as a reporter for the Bridgeport Post . </P>

Who plays munch on law and order svu