Belzer book tackles JFK

This fall marks the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas, and actor Richard Belzer’s new book, “Hit List,” takes a look at what he claims is a massive conspiracy to cover up the truth.

Belzer, best known for his work on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” has teamed up with journalist David Wayne to explore some of the deaths surrounding Kennedy’s assassination.


“The reason I wrote ‘Hit List’ is the 50 mysterious deaths of witnesses to the JFK assassination,” Belzer told POLITICO. “We’re talking about CIA agents, FBI agents, reporters, people who had foreknowledge or people who spoke too much afterward. And if anyone has any doubt — which I doubt — of a conspiracy, the reasons we did this book is this proves why would they kill all these people if there’s no conspiracy?”

Belzer is no stranger to challenging history’s conventional wisdom. His last book, “Dead Wrong,” alleged that Marilyn Monroe was murdered and that the government ordered Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. It’s a lot more interesting than the world of make-believe that Belzer lives in on television.

“I’ve found you don’t have to make anything up,” Belzer said. “Reality is so complex and fascinating and horrible and beautiful. I’ve been studying this case my whole adult life, and I’m still finding stuff about the case because over time, things come out. … People say you can’t keep a secret? Well, you can. But after 50 years, the secret starts coming out.”

As for why Kennedy was killed, Belzer says it was primarily due to his interest in pulling America out of Vietnam, which caused consternation with those looking to profit off America’s venture abroad. And as for why the coverup occurred, Belzer said, “I believe a lot of people, for noble, patriotic reasons, covered up the real story because we didn’t want the world to think we’re a ‘banana republic.’”

“We’re at the height of the Cold War, and the president’s head is exploded in broad daylight, so they had to get this patsy who was clearly set up. That’s common knowledge that Oswald was a fake defector and was a patsy. … Ninety percent of the American people believe there was a conspiracy involved in the assassination of the president. The other 10 percent work for the media or the government, probably. The public knows. Most people believe Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone at the very least.”

Belzer’s fascination with the story is because “the Kennedy assassination is one of the ghostliest parts of our history.”

“The Kennedy family — that’s our royalty. It’s fascinating and tragic and just strikes to the heart of our country. Here’s the youngest president ever, full of hope and promise, and he made government service seem like it was dignified.”