LAW & Order star Richard Belzer has tragically died aged 78.
The iconic TV actor was best known for playing Detective John Munch in the series' spin off show Law & Order: SVU.
Belzer is understood to have passed away this morning at his home in Bozouls in southwest France.
Bill Scheft - writer and long-time pal of Belzer, told The Hollywood Reporter: "He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, ‘F*** you, motherf***er.'”
His cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
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Laraine Newman - an original Saturday Night Live cast member - took to Twitter to pay tribute to the iconic actor.
"I'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing. I loved this guy so much. He was one of my first friends when I got to New York to do SNL," Newman wrote.
"One of the funniest people ever. A master at crowd work. RIP dearest."
Newman worked alongside Belzer from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, TMZ reports.
Belzer starred in Law & Order: SVU for 15 seasons.
He first appeared as John Munch in 1993 on the television series, Homicide: Life on the Street.
When the show was cancelled in 1996, Belzer felt his time as Munch was unfinished and proceeded to guest star in Law & Order episodes as the character for a few years.
According to the 2009 book Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Unofficial Companion, Belzer called creator Dick Wolf to try and become Detective Lennie Briscoe's partner on the original series.
However, Wolf said he had already cast actor Jessie Martin to play the character of Ed Green.
Fortunately for Belzer, Wolf was in the process of developing Law & Order: SVU and made sure Detective John Munch transferred over from Baltimore to New York City to join Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni).
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Meloni took to Twitter on Sunday to pay tribute to his co-star.
"Good bye mon ami. I love you. #TheBelz," the 61-year-old wrote above a picture of him kissing Belzer on the cheek.
The second post was a heartwarming old photo of Hargitay feeding Belzer on the Law & Order: SVU set.
Hargitay posted her own touching tribute to the star on Instagram.
She said: "Goodbye my dear, dear friend.
"I will miss you, your unique light and your singular take on this strange world.
"I feel blessed to have known you and adored you and worked with you, side by side, for so many years."
The heartbroken actress added: "How lucky the angels are to have you.
"I can hear them laughing already.
"I love you so very much, now and forever."
