Actor George Wendt, who played Norm Peterson in the iconic sitcom Cheers, has died at the age of 76.
His family said he died early on Tuesday morning, peacefully in his sleep.
“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,” the family said in a statement.
His character as an affable, beer-loving barfly in Cheers was watched by millions in the 1980s – earning him six consecutive Emmy nominations for best supporting actor.
Wendt with his co-stars Ted Danson and John Ratzenberger at the Emmys in 2024. Pic: AP
The sitcom was based in a Boston bar “where everybody knows your name” – proved true given everyone would shout “Norm!” when he walked in.
Cheers also starred Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer, John Ratzenberger, Kirstie Alley and Woody Harrelson. The show would spin off another success in Frasier and was nominated for 117 Emmy Awards, winning 28 of them.
Wendt appeared in all 273 episodes of Cheers – with his regular first line of “afternoon everybody” a firm fan favourite.
He was also a prominent presence on Broadway – appearing on stage in Art, Hairspray and Elf.
Before rising to fame, he spent six years in Chicago’s renowned Second City improvisation troupe.
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In an interview with GQ magazine, he revealed he did not have high hopes when he auditioned for the role that would catapult him to fame.
“My agent said: ‘It’s a small role, honey. It’s one line. Actually, it’s one word.’ The word was ‘beer.’
“I was having a hard time believing 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 a role. Why don’t you read this other one?’ And it was a guy who never left the bar.”
One of nine children, Wendt was born in Chicago and graduated with a degree in economics.
He married actress Bernadette Birkett in 1978, who voiced the character of Norm’s wife in Cheers but never appeared on screen. They have three children.
Wendt’s nephew is Jason Sudeikis, who played the lead role in Ted Lasso.
