Beloved Cheers star passes away

The world of television has lost a beloved figure. George Wendt, best known as the affable barfly Norm Peterson on the iconic sitcom Cheers, has passed away at the age of 76. His family confirmed that the actor and comedian died 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," a representative for the Wendt family said in a heartfelt statement. "He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time."

Wendt’s passing marks the end of an era. For over a decade, he brought warmth, humour and quiet depth to the character of Norm – a man who was more than just a fixture at the bar. His role earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations, a testament to the quiet brilliance of his performance.

He began his career in comedy during the 1970s, cutting his teeth in the world of sketch and improv before making his mark on television. Cheers, which ran for 11 seasons, became his home – and he became part of America’s family. Wendt’s Norm was always there, beer in hand, ready with a witty remark or a knowing glance that said more than words ever could.

But behind the scenes, Wendt once admitted the job wasn’t always as easy as he made it look. He joked that the hardest part of playing Norm was pretending to enjoy the flat, salty, non-alcoholic drinks he had to consume all day during filming. “It not only tastes disgusting, I was afraid of keeling over from high blood pressure,” he once told The Washington Post. Yet, like the seasoned actor he was, he mastered the craft – not by drinking, but by knowing exactly when the camera was watching. "That's how I make my money. That’s acting."

After Cheers ended in 1993, Wendt attempted to forge a new path with The George Wendt Show. Unfortunately, the show struggled to find its audience and was cancelled after just six episodes aired. Still, his passion for comedy never wavered. He made memorable appearances on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s and took on roles in films like The Little Rascals, Airplane II: The Sequel, and Santa Buddies.

Off-screen, Wendt found joy and stability in his family life. He married actress Bernadette Birkett in 1978 – who, in a sweet twist of art imitating life, voiced Norm’s elusive wife Vera on Cheers. Together they raised five children: Hilary, Joe, Daniel, Joshua and Andrew.

Wendt came from a large, close-knit family, with six sisters and a nephew who would go on to become a comedic star in his own right – Ted Lasso actor Jason Sudeikis.

Images: CBS