Richard Belzer, best known to television audiences as acerbic Detective John Munch on the critically acclaimed drama series "Homicide: Life on the Street," has transferred to the "Law & Order" family. Belzer will reprise his popular character on the new "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

"This is one conspiracy in which I was a willing participant," says Belzer, a renowned conspiracy theorist.

The veteran standup, comic, actor, talk show host and author was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. "Due to his uncontrollable wit," Belzer was politely asked to leave every school he ever attended. Belzer parlayed his talent outside of the classroom into a career that has spanned two decades.

Widely known for his astute political observations and insatiable appetite for the news, Belzer began his career as a reporter for the Bridgeport Post and several other newspapers around the country. This interest can be traced directly back to his days as a paperboy in his hometown. Belzer honed his life experiences into barbed comedic material drawn from former jobs as a teacher, census taker, jewelry salesman, dock worker --and several other unmentionable occupations.

Belzer began his career in show business with a starring role in "Groove Tube," the counterculture film that went on to become a cult classic. Since then, Belzer’s comedic talents have been featured in every entertainment medium from off-Broadway ("The National Lampoon Show" with Bill Murray, Gilda Radner and John Belushi) to radio ("Brink and Belzer" on WNBC) to film ("Fame," "Author, Author," "Night Shift" and "Scarface").

For the small screen, Belzer recently made television history when his "Homicide" character appeared in three different primetime series in the same week ("Homicide," "Law & Order" and "X-Files"). He starred in his own comedy special for HBO, "Another Lone Nut;" hosted the primetime special, "When Cars Attack," and appeared in "Elmopalooza," a primetime special commemorating Sesame Street’s 30th anniversary. Belzer’s first comedy CD, also titled "Another Lone Nut," was recently released.

Belzer has made numerous appearances on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O’Brien," "Late Night with David Letterman," and "Saturday Night Live." He starred in a six-part comedy cable series "The Richard Belzer Show" and hosted the live national cable talk show, "Hot Properties." In addition, Richard Belzer is the author of "How To Be A StandUp Comic" and hosts Court TV’s "Crime Stories."