Ice-T has paid tribute to his late friend and Law & Order: SVU co-star Richard Belzer, who passed away over the weekend in southern France.
Belzer, a beloved stand-up comic and actor, reportedly died on Sunday (February 19) at his Beaulieu-sur-Mer home. According to Associated Press, the 78-year-old’s cause of death is not yet known but he suffered from respiratory and circulatory issues.
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“Highs and Lows… After one of the most amazing weeks of my life. I wake up to the news I lost my friend today,” Ice-T wrote memorializing his SVU co-star.
“Belz is gone.. Damn it! But remember this..’When you ARE having real fun and are Truly Happy. ENJOY it to the fullest! Cause Pain is inevitably coming.’ I’ll miss you Homie.”
Belzer — who starred as “Munch” — made his last appearance on Law & Order: SVU in 2016. Ice-T plays Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola — a role he’s held since 2000, making him the longest-running male actor in TV history.
Since the news of Belzer’s passing, fans have taken to social media to mourn the loss of one-half of their favorite on-screen duos.
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“One of the best duos in television history. The chemistry you two had was incredible,” one person replied to Ice-T’s post. Another added: “Fin just mentioned him in the recent episode and then this happens omg.”
Earlier this month, the “Colors” rapper became the 11th Hip Hop artist to be honored with his own Hollywood star on the Walk of Fame.
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Ice-T was joined by his wife and daughter as his star was unveiled last Friday (February 17), the day after his 65th birthday.
Ice was introduced to the crowd by his Law & Order: Special Victims Unit co-star Mariska Hargitay, the show’s creator Dick Wolf, and fellow rap veteran Chuck D. Ice Cube, comedian Mike Epps and Def Jam founder Russell Simmons were also on hand for the celebration.
“Last but not least… I wanna thank the muthafuckin’ haters,” he proclaimed. “‘Cause you really make me get up in the morning and be the best I can be. All the naysayers, all the people that wanted to end my career; now I’m on the Walk of Fame, bitch ass muthafuckas. And that’s the motivation!”
“You gotta let them haters motivate you,” he continued. “If you wanna go in the gym, go on YouTube, see somebody talking shit about you, then go get your reps in, you understand what I’m sayin’? If it wasn’t for the haters, I definitely wouldn’t have pulled this off, I swear to God! Thank you SO much, Imma give you so much more to hate in the future, trust me.”
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Ice-T’s star becomes the 2,747th to be added to the Walk of Fame, which was inaugurated in 1961 with 1,558 initial stars. He joins Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, LL COOL J, Diddy, Ice Cube, Pharrell, Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah as the only rappers to have received this honor to date.
