George Wendt, beloved ‘Cheers’ actor, passes away at 76
The Emmy-nominated star, best known for playing Norm Peterson, died peacefully in his sleep at home.
George Wendt, the iconic actor who portrayed Norm Peterson in NBC’s ‘Cheers,’ has passed away at 76 years old. His family confirmed that he died peacefully in his sleep early Tuesday morning.
Wendt’s role as Norm, the lovable bar regular, made him a household name. ‘Cheers’ aired from 1982 to 1993, becoming one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history. The show starred Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, Shelley Long, John Ratzenberger, Kirstie Alley, and Kelsey Grammer, who later led the spin-off ‘Frasier’.
Six Emmy nominations, but no wins
From 1984 to 1989, Wendt was nominated six consecutive times for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Despite his impressive streak, he never won—his co-star Woody Harrelson took the award in his final attempt.
His humble beginnings on ‘Cheers’
In one of his last interviews, Wendt recalled his audition for ‘Cheers’:
“My agent told me, ‘It’s a small role, honey. It’s one line. Actually, it’s one word.’ The word was ‘beer.’ I couldn’t believe I was right for the role of ‘the guy who looked like he wanted a beer.’ So I went in, and they said, ‘It’s too small. Why don’t you read for this other part?’ And that was the guy who never left the bar.”
Tributes pour in
Hollywood stars and former co-stars have shared heartfelt tributes:
- Ted Danson: “I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us. I love you, Georgie.”
- John Ratzenberger: “George brought Norm to life with a subtle brilliance—the kind that made it look easy.”
- Rhea Perlman: “George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met. It was impossible not to like him.”
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