George Wendt from ‘Cheers’ dies at 76
George Wendt, the beloved actor who introduced bar common Norm Peterson to life on Cheers, has handed away on the age of 76.
Wendt died peacefully in his sleep at residence on Tuesday, Could 20, in keeping with his publicist, Melissa Nathan.
“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever,” the assertion stated. The household has requested privateness throughout this time.
Born in Chicago in 1948, Wendt rose from humble beginnings — together with dropping out of Notre Dame — to develop into a comedy staple.
He discovered his footing in 1974 with Chicago’s The Second Metropolis, the place he additionally met his spouse, Bernadette Birkett. The couple married in 1978 and had three kids: Hilary, Joe, and Daniel.
Although he as soon as joked that he “sucked out loud” at improv, Wendt’s comedic timing and likability landed him roles on exhibits like Taxi, Cleaning soap, and MASH*, earlier than his large break got here in 1982 on Cheers.
As Norm, Wendt turned a fan favourite, showing in each single episode of the long-lasting sitcom.
“Norm is just me with better writing,” he instructed Chicago Journal in 2021. “There were hundreds, if not thousands, of actors who could have delivered on the absolute gems that I was handed on a silver platter every Wednesday morning.”
The position earned him six Emmy nominations — and fairly just a few beers.
“Whenever I go out, people are always sending over a beer, or a round, for me and my friends,” Wendt as soon as instructed The Washington Submit.
Past Cheers, Wendt charmed audiences on Saturday Evening Dwell as a part of the beloved “Da Bears” sketch and made appearances in Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Scorching in Cleveland, and Recent Off the Boat. He additionally tackled movie roles in Fletch, Without end Younger, Spice World, and Santa Buddies, and had a particular knack for enjoying Santa Claus — a task he performed in a number of initiatives.
“That beard — that’s awful. It just goes right in your mouth, no matter how careful you are,” he joked in 2022.
Even in later years, Wendt stored performing, from Broadway’s Hairspray to competing on The Masked Singer. He reunited together with his Cheers castmates on the 2023 Emmys, proving the bond they constructed on display screen carried into actual life.
Wendt summed up his strategy to appearing merely: “I just look for fun things to do,” he instructed the Chicago Tribune. And his recommendation to aspiring actors? “Have fun. Look, it’s brutal out there. If you’re not having fun, it’s not worth it.”
He’s survived by his spouse, kids, and numerous followers who all the time knew his title.
