George Wendt, beloved Cheers actor, passes away at 76 with tributes pouring in for his role as a ‘doting family man and friend’

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.

Wendt peacefully passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, as stated by his family: ‘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 family has requested privacy during this time.’

His unexpected death occurred only six months after he was last seen leaving a California dialysis clinic and exactly 32 years following the Cheers finale.

In the wake of his shock death, his Cheers co-star Ted Danson, 77, who played bartender Sam Malone – paid emotional tribute to his ‘Georgie.’

In a statement to People, Danson said he’s ‘devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us.

‘I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie.’

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.

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 beloved character, the cheerful bar regular Norm, who juggled various jobs such as accountant, painter, decorator, and coast guard, quickly captured the hearts of fans with his memorable entrance into the bar.

Norm would arrive and yell ‘Afternoon/evening everybody!’ with the bar crowd shouting his name back. 

He told Chicago Magazine in 2021: ‘Norm is just me with better writing. 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.’

Wendy forged close friendships with his co-stars Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer and Woody Harrelson.

Wendt’s former  Sabrina the Teenage Witch co-star Melissa Joan Hart said ‘heaven just got a little funnier’ with his arrival.

‘He was warm, professional and kind and our cast and crew were gifted with his presence every time. Rest in peace! #GodBlesstheFunnyPeople.’

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. 

He also had a recurring sketch on SNL’s Bill Swerski’s Superfans, which was dedicated to sports fans from Chicago.

Other than his success in the hit sitcom, the popular entertainer has appeared in shows such as Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Columbo and Wings. 

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.

In June 2024 Wendt lauded his nephew – the son of his sister Kathy on the podcast Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko

He said: ‘He’s such a great kid. Very proud. Proud especially, you know, not only of the success, but he’s solid. Have you read profiles and stuff? I mean he is such a mesh, so smart, so thoughtful. I mean, it all comes out in the show. Right?’