Richard Belzer, 'Law & Order' star, dead at 78

( Fox )

Richard Belzer, an actor known for his role as Detective John Munch on "Law & Order," has passed away at the age of 78.

"He passed at home early this morning in the south of France — in his home in the south of France — with his family around him," writer Bill Scheft, a longtime friend of the actor, confirmed to Fox News Digital.

"He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, 'F--- you, motherf---er,'" Scheft, a former writer for "Late Show with David Letterman," told The Hollywood Reporter of Belzer.

"I'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing. I loved this guy so much," Laraine Newman, who was a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" from 1975 to 1980, tweeted. "He was one of my first friends when I got to New York to do SNL. We used to go out to dinner every week at Sheepshead Bay for lobster. One of the funniest people ever. A master at crowd work. RIP dearest."