Cheers icon George Wendt has died aged 76.
The legendary actor played the beloved Norm Peterson on the hit NBC show from 1982-1993 and earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for the role.
George Wendt’s passing on Tuesday was confirmed by his publicist who stated, ‘George was a devoted family man, cherished friend, and trusted confidant to all fortunate enough to have known him.’
‘He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.’
His unexpected death occurred just six months after the ailing star was observed exiting a California dialysis clinic in a wheelchair, coinciding with the 32nd anniversary of the Cheers series finale.
Wendt’s iconic sitcom Cheers ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993, though the show was almost canceled after its first season due to low ratings.
Cheers icon George Wendt has died aged 76 – he is pictured as Norm Peterson on the show
The iconic actor portrayed the beloved character on NBC’s hit show from 1982 to 1993, earning six consecutive Emmy nominations for the role. Seen in the top right with the cast, he starred alongside Rhea Perlman, Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, Kirstie Alley, Roger Rees, and Bebe Neuwirth during the 1980s.
Wendt looked frail as he was snapped after a visit to a LA health clinic in November 2024
However, it spent eight of its remaining 10 seasons in the top 10, becoming the most-watched show in Season 9.
It earned 28 Emmy Awards from 117 nominations, earning Outstanding Comedy Series nominations all 11 seasons, winning four.
Wendt – who is also the uncle of Ted Lasso actor Jason Sudeikis – impressively appeared in every episode until it went off air in May 1993.
His lovable, happy-go-lucky barfly Norm – whose occupations included accountant, painter and decorator and coast guard – quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to his iconic entrance into the bar.
Norm would arrive and yell ‘Afternoon/evening everybody!’ with the bar crowd shouting his name back.
Hailing from Chicago, prior to acting Wendt was expelled from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana over poor grades before moving into showbusiness, where his first job was sweeping a theatre floor.
Guest roles in Taxi and M*A*S*H were followed by his big break on Cheers, and two years after it finished he launched a self-titled sitcom on CBS, but it was canceled after eight episodes.
Other than his success in the hit sitcom, the popular entertainer has appeared in shows such as Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Columbo and Wings.
Norm – whose occupations included accountant, painter and decorator and coast guard – quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to his iconic entrance into the bar
Wendt had not been seen in public much in recent years – he reunited with the Cheers cast at the Emmy Awards in January 2024
Wendt had been married to Birkett – who played the voice of the mysterious Vera on Cheers – since 1978 and they have one daughter and two sons – pictured January 2024
Wendt’s nephew and godson is Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis – pictured 2017
The star is pictured in M*A*S*H as Private Laroche in 1982
Wendt joined Sudeikis, Travis Kelce. Robert Smigel and Patrick Mahomes, onstage at 2024 Big Slick Celebrity Weekend in June 2024
He also had a recurring sketch on SNL’s Bill Swerski’s Superfans, which was dedicated to sports fans from Chicago.
Wendt had been married to Bernadette Birkett – who played the voice of the mysterious Vera on Cheers – since 1978 and they have one daughter and two sons.
Wendt had kept a low profile in recent years, making only a handful of small appearances on screen, including his stint as a contestant in The Masked Singer in 2023.
More recently, he made a surprise appearance on stage when he reunited with the Cheers cast at the Emmy Awards in January 2024.
Wendt was joined by former co-stars Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman, and John Ratzenberger around a recreated set of the show’s iconic bar.
Cast members Shelley Long and Woody Harrelson did not attend the reunion.
Sudeikis explained to Playboy in 2011 how his mother’s brother Wendt inspired him to embark upon his own career path.
He admitted: ‘He’s always been very encouraging, but there was no Tuesdays With Morrie kind of relationship between him and I.
‘He didn’t take me to the park to explain comic timing. There was nothing like that. He was just a good example that being an actor was a viable option.’
The actor added: ‘Here’s a guy from the Midwest, in my family, who took the road less travelled and it worked out for him. The advice he gave me, and I say this jokingly, is “Get on one of the best sitcoms of all time and then ride it out.”‘
Wendt encouraged his nephew to audition for Saturday Night Live after attending one of his improv performances.
