Law & Order: SVU paid tribute to the late Detective John Munch in recent seasons following the 2023 death of actor Richard Belzer.
Richard Belzer, who portrayed Detective John Munch in more than 300 episodes from 1999 to 2016, died at age 78 in 2023. The series first commemorated the character in the Season 25 premiere titled "Tunnel Blind," where Munch's off-screen death was confirmed and honored through a toast by Olivia Benson and Fin Tutuola.
A further nod appeared in Season 27, Episode 13, "Corrosive." Benson recalled a 2003 incident in which Munch jinxed a quiet shift by commenting on the lack of activity, leading to an immediate call.
Mariska Hargitay, who plays Benson, said in a 2024 interview with E! News that Belzer remains deeply embedded in her heart. "We talk about him all the time. It's like he's still here," she added.
Kelli Giddish, who plays Amanda Rollins, described Belzer as instrumental in her early years on the show and expressed pride in the legacy.
