George Wendt, the actor remembered for his iconic portrayal of Norm Peterson on the beloved sitcom Cheers, has passed away at the age of 76.
A family representative confirmed the news to ABC News on Tuesday, sharing that Wendt “died peacefully in his sleep while at home.” The rep added, “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.”
Wendt rose to fame for his role on NBC’s Cheers, which aired from 1982 to 1993. He appeared in all 275 episodes of the Emmy-winning series, becoming a staple of American television with his warm, affable portrayal of bar regular Norm. His performance earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Born on October 17, 1948, in Chicago, Wendt launched his career in comedy at the legendary Second City theatre, where he also met his wife, actress Bernadette Birkett, whom he married in 1978. The couple shared three children: a daughter, Hilary, and two sons, Joe and Daniel.
Before his breakout on Cheers, Wendt held small roles on television hits such as MASH*, Taxi, and Soap. Reflecting on his audition for Cheers in a 2021 interview with Chicago Magazine, Wendt recalled simply needing to “look like a guy who wanted to have another beer.” He often said that he was much like Norm in real life—except Norm had the benefit of “better writing.”
Wendt’s post-Cheers career included a starring role in the short-lived The George Wendt Show in 1995. He made memorable appearances on Saturday Night Live, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, George Lopez, and even reprised his beloved Norm character in an episode of Frasier, the Cheers spinoff.
On SNL, he was widely recognised for his role in the recurring “Bill Swerski’s Superfans” sketch, joining Chris Farley, Mike Myers, and Robert Smigel in poking fun at diehard Chicago sports fans.
Wendt also enjoyed a diverse film career, with notable roles in “Fletch” (1985) opposite Chevy Chase, “Guilt by Suspicion” (1991) alongside Robert De Niro, and “Forever Young” (1992) with Mel Gibson. He made cameo appearances in “The Little Rascals” and the cult-favorite “Spice World.” His television movie credits include Alice in Wonderland (1999), Strange Relations (2001), and Santa Baby (2006), among others.
With his trademark warmth and everyman charm, George Wendt became a television legend who left an enduring mark on pop culture. He may have entered the bar each episode to the greeting, “Norm!”—but now, millions bid him a heartfelt goodbye.
Wendt was also the uncle and godparent of actor Jason Sudeikis.
