OG members of the Law & Order: Special

Victims Unit cast are still missing the late

Richard Belzer more than a year after his death.

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In a January 2024 interview with E! News, Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen) opened up about what Belzer meant to him.

“Number one, I love the Belz. He was an irascible son-of-a-b. But a very, very talented man. And that has not escaped me down this line,” he said. “I always thought he was Dracula. He was never going to die. So, bless you, Belz. He was a part of so many good things but such a big part of SVU. I love that dude.”

Meanwhile, Mariska Hargitay (Olivia Benson) talked about how the cast is keeping his memory alive.

“Belzer’s so deeply embedded and enmeshed in my heart. I think of him with such fondness. He has shored me up and I have so many memories of him. We talk about him all the time. It’s like he’s still here,” she said.

RELATED: Mariska Hargitay Reveals What She Learned From the ‘Beautiful’ Richard Belzer

Kelli Giddish (Amanda Rollins) also discussed the special place Belzer will always have in her heart. “I’m just beyond grateful to know him. He was really instrumental in laying the footing for me when I got on the show. I deeply feel joy and pride by being part of this legacy.”