George Wendt, best known for his iconic role as Norm Peterson in the beloved sitcom Cheers, has passed away at the age of 76. His family shared that he died peacefully in his sleep at home early Tuesday morning. “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,” a representative informed the BBC. Wendt's portrayal of Norm, the lovable barfly, graced all 275 episodes of Cheers, which aired from 1982 to 1993, earning him six consecutive Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series.
Norm's unforgettable entrance—a running gag where bar patrons cheer his name—highlighted the charm he brought to the show. Wendt recently reunited with fellow cast members including Ted Danson and Rhea Perlman at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024. Beyond Cheers, Wendt appeared in movies like Dreamscape and Forever Young. He also featured in Michael Jackson’s iconic Black or White music video alongside Macaulay Culkin. Married to fellow actress Bernadette Birkett since 1978, Wendt leaves behind three children and is the uncle of actor Jason Sudeikis, known for Ted Lasso. Fans will forever cherish the warmth and joy he brought to the screen.
