The world of television mourns the loss of George Wendt, the acclaimed actor best known for his enduring portrayal of Norm Peterson on the iconic sitcom Cheers. Wendt passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home early Tuesday morning at the age of 76, his family confirmed.
In a heartfelt statement released through his publicist, Wendt’s family remembered him as “a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him.” They added, “He will be missed forever” and requested privacy during this difficult time.
An Icon at the Bar: Norm Peterson
For millions, George Wendt was Norm Peterson, the jovial, beer-loving accountant and quintessential bar regular who occupied his signature stool at the end of the bar. A central and beloved figure in Cheers, Wendt appeared in every single one of the show’s 275 episodes throughout its celebrated 11-year run from 1982 to 1993.
Norm’s arrival was a running gag, perpetually met with the cheerful, collective shout of “NORM!” from the bar’s patrons and staff. His dry wit, often philosophical one-liners, and perpetually high bar tab made him a fan favorite and a character who embodied the very essence of the show’s theme: “where everybody knows your name.”
Wendt’s masterful performance earned him significant critical recognition, including an impressive six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He himself once reflected that the Norm seen on screen was “years in the making,” admitting he shared some traits with the character, including a fondness for beer, though clarifying he felt personally happier. He famously quipped that when buying beer, he’d tell people he was taking them home “to rehearse.”
More Than Just Norm: A Diverse Career
While Norm Peterson remained his defining role, George Wendt cultivated a distinguished career across television, film, and theatre. A Chicago native, he honed his comedic talents performing for six years with the renowned improv troupe, The Second City, after briefly attending the University of Notre Dame (where he joked about his 0.0 GPA) before studying economics at Rockhurst College. It was seeing Second City that inspired him, looking like young people “goofing off onstage” and getting paid.
Following his breakout success on Cheers, Wendt continued to inhabit the role of Norm in popular guest appearances on spin-off series Frasier, as well as Wings, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and The Tortellis. He also starred in his own short-lived sitcom, The George Wendt Show, in 1995.
His versatile television credits include roles in shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Colombo, Portlandia, and The Goldbergs, and he was a regular on NBC’s Saturday Night Live in the 1990s, notably participating in the recurring “Chicago Superfans” sketch.
On the big screen, Wendt appeared in films such as Dreamscape, Forever Young, Gung Ho, Fletch, Never Say Die, Spice World, Guilty by Suspicion, Space Truckers, and had a brief role as a lumber salesman in 1994’s The Little Rascals. He also memorably played the father of the boy portrayed by Macaulay Culkin in Michael Jackson’s 1991 “Black or White” music video.
Wendt also made a significant mark on stage, calling his turn as Edna Turnblad in the Broadway production of Hairspray in 2007 one of his two favorite roles alongside Norm, describing it as “absolute utter joy.” His theatre resume includes roles in the Tony Award-winning play Art (in New York and London), a national tour of 12 Angry Men, and roles in productions of Death of a Salesman and The Odd Couple. More recently, he appeared on The Masked Singer and in the 2022 festive comedy Christmas with the Campbells.
Family, Legacy, and Remembering George
George Wendt is survived by his wife, fellow actor Bernadette Birkett, whom he married in 1978, and their three children. Comedy roots run deep in his family, as he was the uncle of actor and comedian Jason Sudeikis, creator of Ted Lasso, who also got his start at The Second City.
In a poignant recent moment, Wendt reunited with several of his former Cheers castmates, including Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer, and John Ratzenberger, at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards in January 2024.
Tributes from colleagues and those connected to his legacy have poured in following the news of his death.
Ted Danson, who played Sam Malone, expressed his devastation: “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.”
John Ratzenberger, who played Norm’s fellow barfly Cliff Clavin, was “heartbroken,” reflecting that they “shared a stage, a lot of laughs, and a front-row seat to one of television’s most beloved friendships” for 11 years. Ratzenberger praised Wendt as a “true craftsman — humble, hilarious, and full of heart,” noting his “impeccable comedic timing and a deep loyalty.”
Rhea Perlman, who played Carla Tortelli LeBec, described Wendt as “the sweetest, kindest man I ever met,” finding it “impossible not to like him” and humorously recalling their on-screen dynamic where she would playfully “grab him and beat the crap out of him,” which she said “he loved pretending it didn’t hurt.”
Kelsey Grammer, who starred as Frasier Crane, also expressed his affection for Wendt, stating he was “beloved by millions.”
Cheers Boston, the pub that served as the inspiration for the show, honored Wendt by sharing a photo of “Norm’s spot” at their bar. Their tribute called him “more than just an actor – he was a symbol of comfort, laughter, and that familiar feeling of walking into a place where everybody knows your name.” They concluded, “To George: thank you for the laughs, the memories, and the legacy you leave behind. You’ll always have a stool at our bar.”
Actress Melissa Joan Hart, who worked with him on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, remembered him as “warm, professional and kind,” adding, “Heaven just got a little funnier.”
George Wendt’s passing leaves a void in the entertainment world, but his iconic portrayal of Norm Peterson, alongside his extensive body of work and the warm memories shared by those who knew him, ensures his legacy will continue to bring comfort and laughter for generations to come.
References
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2xx998102o
- https://www.kltv.com/2025/05/20/cheers-star-george-wendt-dies-76/
- https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/george-wendt-cheers-dies-76-rcna208080
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-wendt-comedian-actor-norm-cheers-dies/
- https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/may/20/george-wendt-dead-cheers-norm
