Why A Law & Order Star Sued Hulk Hogan Over A Talk Show Appearance
John Munch actor Richard Belzer once hosted a Lifetime talk show called "Hot Properties," and things quickly went sideways when Hulk Hogan appeared as a guest.
In 1985, Richard Belzer, who later starred in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, was involved in a physical altercation on the set of his talk show, Hot Properties. Belzer, who was a comedian and host, had Hulk Hogan and Mr. T on the show to promote the inaugural WrestleMania event. When Belzer asked Hogan to demonstrate a wrestling move, Hogan grabbed him in a powerful headlock, causing Belzer to lose consciousness and fall to the ground, sustaining a severe head wound.
Belzer, who had no prior physical training, fell right into Hogan's hold and suffered eight stitches to the back of his head after being rushed to the hospital. Despite Hulk Hogan's subsequent apology, Belzer chose to take legal action and was awarded $400,000 in a settlement. The incident is not alone of its kind; a year before, in 1984, 20/20 reporter John Stossel sued wrestler David Schultz for slapping him on the head during a segment on the authenticity of pro wrestling, resulting in a $425,000 payout.
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