George Wendt, the actor and comedian best known for playing Norm Peterson—the ever-present barfly with a sharp wit—on the classic sitcom Cheers, has passed away at the age of 76, his family announced.
“George was a devoted family man, a beloved friend, and a trusted confidant,” a representative said in a statement to CNN. “He will be missed forever.”
Born and raised in Chicago, Wendt began his career in comedy at the famed Second City Mainstage in 1975. His time with the troupe, including work in the touring company and the revue One More with Fooling, laid the foundation for a nearly 50-year career in entertainment. He left Second City in 1980 to pursue film and television roles.
Wendt appeared in early roles on TV shows such as Taxi, Alice, and Making the Grade, before landing the role that would define his career. In 1982, he was cast as Norm Peterson on Cheers, which ran for 11 seasons and became one of television’s most beloved sitcoms. Alongside co-stars Rhea Perlman, Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Woody Harrelson, and Kelsey Grammer, Wendt’s Norm quickly became a fan favorite for his deadpan delivery and ever-present drink.
He earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series from 1984 to 1989 for the role. Wendt was one of only three cast members—along with Danson and Perlman—to appear in every episode of the show’s 275-episode run.
Rhea Perlman, who played Carla, shared her memories in a statement: “George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met. As Carla, I stood next to him often—since Norm always sat in the same barstool. I’d grab him, push him around, and he loved it. So did I. What a guy. I’ll miss him more than words can say.”
Reflecting on his time on the show in 2024, Wendt called it “a great job,” telling fans at Motor City Comic Con, “Oh my God, what a great job.”
John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff Clavin, once joked that working on Cheers felt like “stealing money.” “We sat at a bar for 11 years cracking jokes,” he said. “Imagine seeing that job posting: ‘Wanted: People to sit at a bar and make jokes—for lots of money.’”
Wendt chimed in with his signature humor: “Looking for a guy who wants another beer.”
Though the on-screen beer was fake, Wendt admitted they sometimes celebrated with real drinks after the studio audience had gone home. He also spoke about how naturally he related to Norm, telling the Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko podcast, “I had to look like a guy who wanted another beer. That I can do. The writing was incredible—I just showed up and said the lines.”
Wendt’s career extended far beyond Cheers. He appeared in films like Dreamscape, Never Say Die, and Forever Young (1992), alongside Mel Gibson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and a young Elijah Wood. He also took on guest roles in series such as Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show, St. Elsewhere, The Twilight Zone, and The Little Rascals. In 1995, he starred in The George Wendt Show, and later joined the short-lived The Naked Truth in 1997.
Between 1991 and 2003, he made recurring appearances on Saturday Night Live as Bob Swerski, a diehard Chicago sports fan, sharing the screen with comedy greats like Chris Farley, Mike Myers, and Robert Smigel.
In the 2000s and 2010s, Wendt continued to work steadily with guest appearances on shows including Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Portlandia, Kirstie, Fresh Off the Boat, and Franklin & Bash.
In 2017, he returned to his roots with I Can’t Believe They Wendt There: The Roast of George Wendt at The Second City in Chicago. Hosted by his nephew, Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, the event raised $200,000 for Gilda’s Club Chicago and The Second City Alumni Fund.
Wendt spoke fondly of Sudeikis in a podcast interview last year, calling him “a great kid—so smart, so thoughtful.”
His final screen credit, according to IMDb, was the 2024 TV movie Love’s Second Act, starring Jodie Sweetin.
George Wendt is survived by his wife, actress Bernadette Birkett, and their three children: Hilary, Joe, and Daniel. The family has asked for privacy during this time.
Story by Obaapa Janee/ahotoronline.com
