On Tuesday, it was reported that George Wendt, widely recognized for portraying Norm Peterson on the popular sitcom Cheers, has passed away at the age of 76.
On May 20, 2025, Wendt peacefully passed away in the comfort of his own home during sleep. This was confirmed by his representative, Melissa Nathan, through a statement that was released to People magazine.
1948 saw the birth of Wendt in Chicago, where he grew up as the youngest of nine siblings. Interestingly, actor Jason Sudeikis is the nephew of Wendt’s sister Kathryn. Wendt was dismissed from the University of Notre Dame and subsequently worked for his father’s real estate firm. Later, he completed his education at Rockhurst College.
In the year 1974, he underwent training at Chicago’s Second City theater. It was during this time that he crossed paths with actress Bernadette Birkett and tied the knot with her in 1978. Together they welcomed three children: Hilary, Joe, and Daniel.
In the initial stages of his comedic journey, Wendt encountered challenges that included being dismissed from Second City and choosing to resign himself. However, against all odds, he managed to secure roles in various TV shows and films. He made notable guest appearances on Taxi, Hart to Hart, among others.
A few of his initial movie appearances were in Airplane II: The Sequel, My Bodyguard, and Jekyll and Hyde… Together Again. These parts helped lay a foundation for his career. In 1982, he landed the job for Making the Grade, but unfortunately, it was terminated after six episodes had been aired.
Towards the end of that year, he graced Cheers with his presence as Norm Peterson. Remarkably, this show became incredibly popular. In total, his character starred in an impressive 275 episodes. Norm became one of the most iconic aspects of the series.
For his role, Wendt earned six Emmy nominations. His performance made him well-known in many households. After finishing his stint on Cheers, Wendt went on to work in various projects including Seinfeld, The Simpsons, and Portlandia.
I, too, had a fleeting moment shining under the spotlight on The George Wendt Show – though my tenure was limited to just one season, it served as a testament to my comedic roots.
On the stages of Broadway and regional theaters, Wendt strutted his stuff, playing roles like Edna Turnblad from Hairspray and Santa Claus in Elf. In 2023, he made an appearance on The Masked Singer, and also shared the spotlight with his Cheers co-stars at the Emmy Awards.
Reflecting on his departure, I recall him as a devoted family man, whose friendship was deeply valued. At present, they’ve asked for some private moments to grieve and process their loss.
Nathan shared with the media that George’s family announced his passing early on Tuesday morning, indicating that he had peacefully passed away in his sleep, at home.
She went on saying, ‘George was an adoring family member, cherished by many as a dear friend and trusted advisor. His absence will be felt eternally. At this moment, the family prefers solitude.’
George Wendt is survived by his wife and children.
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2025-05-21 08:37