George Wendt

George Wendt, the actor who as Norm from "Cheers" created one of television's most beloved and enduring characters, died in his sleep May 20, 2025, at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 76.?

Though his acting career spanned over 170 roles across dozens of shows, for most viewers, Wendt was and will always be Norm Peterson, the good-natured grump who haunted television's most famous bar, Cheers, and who was one of just three characters to appear in every episode of the classic show.

"For 11 years on 'Cheers,' we shared a stage, a lot of laughs and a front-row seat to one of television's most beloved friendships," begins a statement from co-star John Ratzenberger, who played Norm's bar pal, the know-it-all Cliff Clavin. "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."

Wendt was born in Chicago and got his start in acting through The Second City, Chicago's famous improv comedy group that spawned alumni such as Bill Murray, Gilda Radner (1946–1989), John Candy (1950–1994), John Belushi (1949–1982), Dan Aykroyd, Chris Farley (1964–1997), Mike Myers, Jordan Peele, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and many others. He graduated from Campion High School in Wisconsin, then earned his degree at Jesuit Rockhurst College before discovering his love for acting.

Wendt got his start on screen in a small, uncredited role in the 1978 film "A Wedding," then had small parts in shows like "Soap," "Taxi," "Alice," and "M*A*S*H" before being cast in the part that would change his life. From 1982 to 1993, he was on hundreds of episodes of "Cheers" – every single episode, matched only by the characters of Sam (Ted Danson) and Carla (Rhea Perlman). The part all but defined his career.

"I still have dreams about Cheers, isn't that weird?" Wendt told the AV Club in 2009. "I'll be laughing and [Cheers creator James] Burrows will say, 'Oh that's great, let's put that in,' and then I'll wake up and there's no show to put it in."

However, his work spanned far beyond "Cheers" and included extensive stage performances, parts in shows like "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Saturday Night Live," movies, and much more. He appeared on Broadway in such shows as "Hairspray" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's," had dozens of movie roles from the 1970s through the 2010s, and most recently appeared on "The Masked Singer" in 2023. From 1984 to 1989, he was nominated for six straight Emmy Awards for his work on "Cheers."

His fans, friends, and especially his co-stars paid tribute to him. Danson said in a statement, "I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us. 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." Perlman said, "George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met … 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."

By Eric San Juan

(Image: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)