(CNN) -- After 21 years of arrests with a side of wisecracks, Detective John Munch will retire Wednesday night on "Law and Order: SVU." Richard Belzer debuted the role in January 1993, with NBC's "Homicide: Life on the Street." Never the star, but usually the character with the best lines, Munch survived the cancellation of that show -- and much more. Between the reprisal of the role on various "Law and Order" spin-offs and his many guest spots in character, Belzer parlayed Munch into one of the longest running roles in TV history. As Munch, Belzer appeared on FOX's "The X-Files" in 1993, HBO's "The Wire" in 2002 and shows like "Arrested Development," "The Beat" and "30 Rock."
@highlight
Detective John Munch will retire on "Law and Order: SVU"
@highlight
Richard Belzer debuted the role in January 1993
@highlight
The character has appeared on multiple TV shows
@placeholder is expected to have a cameo or two on "SVU" and another crossover opportunity could present itself down the road.