Who was Leonard Belzer? Richard Belzer’s brother died by suicide, jumping from Manhattan building in 2014

Richard Jay Belzer, an American actor, stand-up comedian, and author best known for his role as detective John Munch, on the NBC police drama series Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, died at the age of 78.

He is survived by his wife, Harlee McBride, and his stepdaughters, Bree Benton and Jessica.

Who is Leonard Belzer?

Leonard Belzer was a former host of the radio program The Comedy Hour. He was a Columbia University graduate and was a veteran of the Air Force Intelligence Service and an author. He and his wife jointly wrote a book in 2000 titled Spiritual Places In and Around New York City.

Leonard jumped to his death from his posh Manhattan Upper West Side building in July 2014. It was a 6-story apartment building on W. 94th St. At the time, the police said they were treating the death as a suicide and he left notes behind. A source told Daily Mail that his body was found in the courtyard of 250 W. 94th St. by a friend after they went to check on him at 6:45 a.m.

Leonard lived on the 11th floor and jumped from the roof of the 16-story high-rise. According to neighbors, Leonard went into a tailspin following the 2012 death of his wife, who was Emmy Award-winning Sesame Street director Emily Squires. “After his wife died he was never quite the same,” said neighbor Terry Caza, a producer, and actor. “He never quite recovered.”

Caza described the 73-year-old Belzer as “a great, interesting man. He was always out consuming culture in the city. We’ll miss, Len. It’s a shame.”

Leonard was also suffering from a heart condition, building workers said. “I had to put him on a bus to the hospital a couple of times,” one said.

“It is with deep sadness that news reports of the passing of Richard Belzer’s brother, Len, have been confirmed,” said the spokeswoman. “Richard is in seclusion at his home in France and cannot be reached for comment at this time.”