Richard Belzer, best known for starring in NBC’s Law & Order franchise, has passed away at the age of 78.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor - who was also a comedian - died at his home in Bozouls in southwest France on Sunday (February 19).

"He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, 'F*** you, motherf***er,'" his friend, writer Bill Scheft, revealed to the publication.

The stand-up comic is survived by his wife, fellow actor Harlee McBride, his stepdaughters Bree and Jessica Benton, and six grandchildren.

The Connecticut-born actor was a warm-up comedian for Saturday Night Live in 1975 before he guest-starred in a few episodes, as stated in his IMDb.

Belzer appeared in films and TV shows from then on and eventually starred in 10 episodes of the 1990 series The Flash - which was his longest television series at that time.

However, in 1993, he landed a regular role on Homicide: Life on the Street - which was a serial drama about the Baltimore police homicide unit. It was the first time he appeared as the renowned character, detective John Munch.

From there, he starred as the detective in other TV shows, such as The Wire and The X-Files, but it was his role on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit that made him become so beloved by viewers.

He was featured in more than 300 episodes and eventually left in season 15, with Munch retiring from the NYPD. His final appearance was in 2016 when he briefly returned to help Lt. Olivia Benson with a case.

Upon hearing the devastating news, Universal Television and NBC issued a joint statement offering condolences to the beloved actor and his family.

"Anyone who ever had the pleasure of watching Richard Belzer portray 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," the wrote, per NBC News.

"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," they added.

Dick Wolf, the creator of SVU, also paid tribute to Belzer in a statement to Variety, that read: "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," Wolf concluded.

Our thoughts are with Belzer's family, friends, and fans at this time.

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Brooklyn Nine-Nine stars have started to share heartbreaking tributes following the death of their colleague Andre Braugher.

Best known for his roles in hit shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Homicide: Life on the Street, Men of a Certain Age, Braugher was a well-known and versatile actor who tragically passed away on Monday (December 11) aged 61.

Braugher's publicist confirmed to The New York Times that it came after a brief battle with an unnamed illness.

Tributes have been pouring in ever since the news broke last night, with many of the late actor's co-stars taking to social media to express their sadness at the news.

Terry Crews, who starred alongside Braugher as Lt. Terry Jeffords on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which aired from 2013 to 2021, was the first member of the cast to post about the loss.

"Can’t believe you’re gone so soon. I’m honoured to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared 8 glorious ears watching your irreplaceable talent. This hurts. You left us too soon," the star wrote on Instagram.

"You taught me so much," he continued. "I will be forever grateful for the experience of knowing you. Thank you for your wisdom, your advice, your kindness and your friendship. Deepest condolences to your wife and family in this difficult time. You showed me what a life well lived looks like.

"Rest In Peace, Andre. I love you, man," he added.

Dirk Blocker, who played Michael Hitchcock on the police sitcom, also posted a heartbreaking message, stating that he was "devastated" over the news.

"Fiercely intelligent, remarkably kind, supportive, generous and possessed a deep and extraordinary talent, and had even more to offer," he wrote on Instagram. "I am devastated. I love him. The nine years I was able to work with him and to just be in his presence was truly a blessing. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family."

Joe Lo Truglio, who portrayed Det. Charles Boyle, shared a photo of Braugher alongside a caption in which he described him as "passionate" and "committed."

"We all know how powerful an actor he was, but even more, Andre knew exactly well his most important role and was deeply proud of it," he wrote. "He spoke often about his sons, and knew how lucky he was to have Ami [his wife]."

"I’m grateful to them for allowing us to share eight years with him," he continued, before recalling some fond memories with the star including the fact that he loved to sing.

"I miss him so much already. What an honor to work with a man who knew what it was really all about. I feel blessed and thankful. Miss you Capt Holt. Love, Porkchop," Truglio concluded the post.

Marc Evan Jackson, who played Braugher's on-screen husband, Kevin, posted a photo of the pair on Twitter with a short but sweet captain, writing: "O Captain. My Captain."

Chelsea Peretti, who played Holt's quirky and comedic assistant Gina Linetti, shared her former co-stars' posts before writing her own.

"Love you. Will miss your dulcet tones. Forever lucky to have gone on such a journey with you. Ringside seat. You were so funny to me and the epitome of still waters run deep," she wrote. "I will always cherish our conversations, often with me hanging in your doorway barring your exit, and the insane opportunity to be your sidekick.

"Is it weird that I am also grieving for what Captain Holt meant to Gina? I really hoped and knew I would see you again. Hate that I won't," she added.

Thousands of other tributes are pouring in right now, including from fans who have been left devastated by the tragic news.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Braugher's loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

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As the world continues to mourn the loss of Matthew Perry, more and more of his wonderful contributions to Friends are being remembered by fans.

Last weekend, the entertainment industry was rocked by the news that Perry had passed away at the age of 54 after the beloved actor was found unresponsive at his home in Los Angeles.

Earlier this week, the coroner’s office confirmed that Perry's cause of death had been "deferred" at this time, per WCNC. This essentially means that an autopsy has been completed, but the examiner requires additional time and further investigation into the sudden tragedy.

According to PEOPLE, the results of Perry’s autopsy are pending a full toxicology report, which can take a number of weeks to complete.

But amid the tragic loss of one of the greatest comedy actors of all time, many of Perry's fans are sharing the times he brought a smile to their face - whether that's by sharing their favorite Chandler Bing moments from Friends or the rare moments some fans may not know about.

Now, fans are highlighting an excerpt from Perry's 2022 memoir - Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing - in which he explains his desire to be the cast member who had the final line on Friends back in 2004.

After 10 years on the air, Perry detailed how he wanted to be the one to "bring the curtain down" on the internationally popular show.

"Before that final episode, I’d taken [Friends creator] Marta Kauffman to one side," he wrote, before revealing that he told her: "No one else will care about this except me [...] So, may I please have the last line?"

Recalling the closing scene in Friends when the gang leaves Monica and Chandler's home for the final time, Perry continued: "That’s why as we all troop out of the apartment, and Rachel has suggested one last coffee, I got to bring the curtain down on Friends.

"'Sure', Chandler said. And then with perfect timing for the very last time, 'Where?'"

"I love the look on Schwimmer’s face as I deliver that line,' Perry continued. "It’s the perfect mixture of affection and amusement, exactly what the show Friends had always given to the world. And with that, it was over."

Although this moment clearly meant a lot to Perry and encapsulated what he believed Friend was all about, there was one joke on the show that he had previously revealed to be his favorite.

Although Chandler had many incredible one-liners throughout the show's 10 seasons, Perry himself revealed in a 2017 interview with Good Morning America what his personal favorite joke was. Watch Perry reveal his favorite Friends line:

His pick came from the episode titled 'The One with Ross' New Girlfriend,' the season two premiere that originally aired in September 1995.

In this classic moment, Joey Tribbiani, played by Matt LeBlanc, shares a story about his family tailor, saying: "He did my first suit when I was 15."

He quickly corrects himself, saying: "No, wait – 16." And then: "No, excuse me – 15." Finally, he asks: "Wait, when was 1990?"

Chandler, with his patience clearly wearing thin, retorts: "OK, you have to stop the Q-tip when there's resistance!"

Once again, thank you for all the laughs, Matthew.

Featured image credit: Dania Maxwell / Getty

Friends creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane are looking back on the final conversation they had with Matthew Perry before his sudden death.

The beloved star of the popular 90s sitcom's death was announced this past weekend, leaving costars, friends, and admirers shocked and in mourning.

Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub in his Los Angeles home on Saturday (October 28) at around 4PM, before he was declared dead. The actor's official cause of death has been deferred.

According to TMZ, Initial preliminary toxicology test results disclosed that there was no meth or fentanyl in Perry's system. This debunks speculations of a potential overdose from these substances.

However, the comprehensive toxicology report is still underway, and its results will provide insights into whether the late Friends star had a lethal level of prescription drugs in his bloodstream.

Perry shot to fame after landing a role as Chandler Bing in the hugely successful 90s sitcom Friends, starring alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow.

The treasured series ran for 10 seasons on NBC from 1994 to 2004 and skyrocketed to become one of the most watched and beloved TV shows of all time.

The main cast of Friends broke their silence by sharing a joint statement with People magazine, honoring the memory of their precious costar. They expressed that they are "so utterly devastated by the loss of [Perry]," adding: "We were more than just cast mates. We are a family."

"There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss," they continued. "In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world."

In the wake of the tragedy, the TV series' creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, have since reflected on their positive final exchange with the actor just two weeks before the news of his passing.

Speaking on the Today Show with host Hoda Kotb, Kauffman, 67, recalled: "It was great. He was happy and chipper. He didn’t seem weighed down by anything. He was in a really good place, which is why this seems so unfair."

"I was just in utter shock," she said about the announcement of his death. "My first instinct was to text him, honestly. And then deep sadness. So much sadness. It’s hard to grasp. One minute he’s here and happy and then poof. He was also really doing good in the world."

The 17 Again actor heartbreakingly opened up about his difficult battle with substance addiction in his deeply personal memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing - which was released just last year.

He gave readers a harrowing account of his experiences, sharing that his Vicodin addiction reportedly stemmed from a 1997 jet skiing accident, during which he became dependent on the opioid analgesic.

In an interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer last October, Perry revealed that - at his worst - he was taking "55 Vicodin a day", as well as a cocktail of "Methadone, Xanax, a full quart of vodka". He later admitted in another interview that he spent "$9 million or something trying to get sober".

In addition to this, Perry spoke about how he believed people would respond if he died, stating: "I say in the book that if I did die, it would shock people, but it wouldn't surprise anybody. And that's a very scary thing to be living with."

Speaking about this specific remark, the Today Show interviewer asked Crane, 66, how that statement "landed" with him, and how he felt when he heard the devastating news.

"I would say that's probably true, given the journey he'd been on, and we were all aware of it. There was always a part that was kind of bracing for something like this," Crane said. "It is still hard to believe because he was such an alive person, that it's hard to believe he's not here."

Crane also believes that the late actor would understand the impact he had on so many people, "but at the same time I wonder… how much he was able to internalize it and find comfort in it".

Furthermore, Kauffman shared that after speaking to Perry two weeks ago, she was "thrilled" because "he seemed better than I had seen in a while," adding: "He was emotionally in a good place. He looked good. He quit smoking."

"Yes, he was sober. He learned things throughout this and what he learned more than anything is that he wants to help other addicts, and it gave him purpose," she added.

The co-creator emotionally said that she "lost a friend in multiple ways" and expressed that it's "amazing" that there is so much outpouring of love from supporters "who lost a friend of theirs, too".

"And I hope wherever he is, he feels it," she concluded.

Featured image credit: Jean Catuffe / Getty

Last night, the tragic news broke that comedian Norm Macdonald had died at the age of 61.

As reported by BBC News, his family and representatives revealed that the legendary Saturday Night Live star had been diagnosed with cancer nine years ago.

In a statement to Macdonald's fans, Norm's long-time collaborator, Lori Jo Hoekstra, said: "He was most proud of his comedy. He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of his loved ones saw him. Norm was a pure comic."

There's no doubt that so many of us would have laughed at one of Macdonald's gags at least once in our lives - thanks to his work on shows such as Rosanne, Saturday Night Live, Norm, and Norm Macdonald Has a Show.

The Canadian comic also made several memorable guest appearances on shows like My Name Is Earl and Family Guy, chat shows such as Conan, Late Night with David Letterman, and The Howard Stern Show.

Now, to celebrate his life and love for comedy, we've listed 10 of his very best one-liners...

Thank you for the laughs, Norm.

Our thoughts are with Macdonald's family, friends, and fans at this time.

Featured image credit: Robin Takami / Alamy