Cherished for his portrayal of Norm Peterson on Cheers, an iconic TV sitcom actor passed away, leaving a void in Hollywood and the hearts of many.
Watch the video below.
According to statements from his family, George Wendt passed away peacefully in his sleep at home at 76.
Wendt became a household name playing Norm Peterson, the lovable beer-drinking regular at the fictional Boston bar where “everybody knows your name.”
His portrayal of the good-natured, quick-witted barfly earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations and secured his place in television history.
Before finding fame on “Cheers,” Wendt honed his comedic skills at Chicago’s Second City improv troupe, where many conservative-friendly comedians like John Candy and Dan Aykroyd also got their start.
Wendt’s journey to becoming Norm began with a stroke of providence. Initially auditioning for a minor one-word role on “Cheers,” producers recognized his talent and elevated him to a regular character.
His signature entrance line, “Afternoon everybody,” followed by the bar’s collective response of “Norm!” became an iconic television moment repeated weekly for 11 seasons.
Wendt appeared in all 273 episodes of the show from 1982 to 1993.
“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,” his family said in a statement.
Born in Chicago, Wendt attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated from Jesuit Rockhurst College.
He married Bernadette Birkett in 1978, maintaining a 46-year marriage until his death.
They raised three children together, and he remained dedicated to his family throughout his career.
Many Americans remember Wendt fondly from his appearances on “Saturday Night Live” in the 1990s, particularly in the Chicago Superfans sketches where he celebrated Midwestern sports culture alongside Chris Farley and Mike Myers.
He was also the uncle to “Ted Lasso” star Jason Sudeikis, continuing his family’s entertainment legacy.
Later in his career, Wendt turned to theater, appearing in Broadway productions of “Hairspray,” “Elf the Musical,” and “Death of a Salesman,” demonstrating his versatility and work ethic.
While many of today’s celebrities focus on political activism, Wendt remained dedicated to his craft and bringing joy to audiences.
At the end, his contributions to American culture through the character of Norm Peterson will continue to bring smiles to faces for generations to come.
