'Cheers' Star George Wendt Dies Aged 76

TV & Film

May 21

George Wendt, the actor best known for the role of Norm Peterson on the hit sitcom Cheers, passed away on May 20 at the age of 76. He died peacefully in his sleep at home, as confirmed by his family early Tuesday morning.

Born on October 17, 1948, in a neighborhood on the southside of Chicago to naval officer George Robert Wendt Sr. and Loretta Mary, Wendt was one of nine children, having six sisters and nine brothers. He was the uncle of actor and former Saturday Night Live writer and cast member Jason Sudeikis. Wendt graduated from Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and attended the University of Notre Dame until being expelled for having a 0.00 GPA.

He began his career with the improv troupe The Second City in 1975, and it was here that he met his wife, Bernadette Brikett. Wendt made his first film appearance in the 1980 film Bodyguard and had bit parts in Taxi, Soap, and M.A.S.H. He landed his first series regular role in 1982 as physical education teacher Gus Bertoia on the CBS sitcom Making the Grade. However, it was canceled after six episodes, but its quick cancellation was a blessing in disguise for Wendt.

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George Wendt’s next role would be the one to make him a household name, as just four months after Making the Grade’s cancellation, audiences were introduced to local barfly Hillary Norm Peterson on the NBC sitcom Cheers. Norm appeared in all 275 episodes of the show and made guest appearances in all three sitcoms based in the Cheers universe. He earned six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. The character’s entrance became a running gag in the show, with all the characters shouting his name as he entered the bar, and his bar tab is the stuff of legends. Norm became such an iconic character so entwined with Wendt that when asked by Arch Campbell in a 2006 interview what people should do if they see him around town, Wendt responded, “If their impulse is to buy me a beer, then by all means, follow that impulse.”

Outside of Cheers, Wendt was also known for his appearances on Saturday Night Live as Bob Swerski, one of the Chicago Superfans alongside cast members Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Robert Smigel, and one-time host Joe Mantegna. This was another role that had a cultural impact, as their famous “Da Bears” catchphrase entered the public lexicon and was often parodied, including acting as the basis for two characters in the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon called “Da Bears.” The characters even appeared in various skits associated with actual NFL football games, including a humorous appearance at 1992’s Superbowl XXVI between the then Washington Redskins (Commanders) and the Buffalo Bills, in which Washington was victorious.

Wendt’s other notable roles included Harry MacAfee is the 1995 television film version of the musical Bye Bye Birdie, George Coleman in the short-lived sitcom The George Wendt Show, Mike Shelby in Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Edna Turnblad in the Broadway musical Hairspray (a role he played on Broadway in 2008, in a Charlottetown production in 2010, and in a production featuring the Baltimore Symphony in 2016), and Santa Claus in the original Broadway cast of Elf.

George Wendt is survived by his wife, Bernadette Brikett (who also played Norm’s wife, Vera, on Cheers), his children Hillary, Joe, and Daniel, and his stepchildren Joshua and Andrew. Cheers co-stars Ted Danson (Sam Malone), John Ratzenberger (Cliff Clavin), and Rhea Perlman (Carla Tortelli) all shared tributes to the late actor.

“I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us,” Danson shared in a statement to Variety. “I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie.”

“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of my friend George Wendt,” John Ratzenberger stated, “He was a true craftsman — humble, hilarious and full of heart. What you saw on screen was exactly who he was off screen with impeccable comedic timing and a deep loyalty to those he loved…I’ll miss our conversations and the quiet moments of friendship that meant the most. My thoughts are with his wife Bernadette, their children, and everyone who loved him.”

“George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met,” said Rhea Perlman. “It was impossible not to like him. As Carla, I was often standing next to him, as Norm always took the same seat at the end of the bar, which made it easy to grab him and beat the crap out of him at least once a week. I loved doing it and he loved pretending it didn’t hurt. What a guy! I’ll miss him more than words can say.”

George Wendt would often be recognized as Norm, and fans even bought him a round. He embraced this image by appearing in Miller Lite Commercials and co-authoring the book Drinking With George: A Barstool Professional’s Guide to Beer.

“I’m a simple man, I don’t ask for much. Give me a nice comfortable chair, a cool breeze, a ballgame on the radio and an ice-cold beer, and I couldn’t be happier,” Wendt said in the book’s introduction, “Truth be told, if it came down to it, I could live without the chair. A cool breeze is nice, but it isn’t exactly mandatory for a good time. And there are plenty of times when I don’t have access to a ballgame.

“But a world without beer? I don’t know if that’s the kind of world I want to live in.”

Rest in peace, George Wendt. Hopefully, your barstool is free, and Cheers of “Norm!” greet you upon entering the pearly gates.

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