‘Cheers’ star George Wendt dies aged 76

Actor George Wendt, best known for playing Norm Peterson on the hit comedy Cheers, has away, and tributes are flooding in.

According to the TV legend’s family, he passed away quietly at home early on Tuesday, May 20, while sleeping.

For everyone fortunate enough to have known him, George was a loving family man, a trusted confidant, and a cherished friend. “He will always be missed,” a family representative for the comedian told the BBC.

Wendt became famous after playing the amiable Norm Peterson on the popular sitcom Cheers. The actor received six straight Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his roles in all 275 episodes of the show, which lasted from 1982 to 1993.

In a comment to the New York Post, Ted Danson, who costarred with Wendt on Cheers, expressed his sorrow.

“The news that Georgie is no longer with us breaks my heart,” Danson remarked. “Bernadette and the kids have my undying love. I will need a considerable amount of time to adjust to this. Georgie, you are loved.

“For eleven years on ‘Cheers,’ we shared a stage, a lot of laughs, and a front-row seat to one of television’s most beloved friendships,” John Ratzenberger, who portrayed Cliff Clavin on the program, told ABC News. George’s subtle brilliance made it seem effortless as he brought Norm to life. His gift was that.

Wendt was reportedly last spotted in public in late January of this year in Los Angeles. According to the Mirror, he was photographed using a cane to exit a car with his wife.

Wendt apparently suffered weight-related difficulties during the past five years, including a hospitalization for chest symptoms and coronary bypass surgery, though his cause of death has not yet been established.

Recently, there has been increasing worries about the actor’s health, especially following the reunion of the Cheers cast at the ATX TV Festival in June 2023. The event was organized to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the show’s ending, but many fans felt that Wendt didn’t look good, thus it became a topic of conversation.

“George Wendt, the man on the right, appears to need to see a doctor for jaundice,” one viewer commented.

“Is George ok 😳 he looks dead?” another person added.

“Good lord, George Wendt looks absolutely awful 😣,” a third individual commented.

Throughout her career, which began in 1978, Wendt starred in a variety of TV series and motion pictures in addition to the NBC sitcom. We shall miss him.

Peace be with you, Wendt, George.