George Wendt, renowned for his portrayal of Norm Peterson on the sitcom “Cheers,” died on May 20, 2025, at the age of 76.
According to a family representative, Wendt died peacefully in his sleep at his residence.
Wendt, who earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for his character Norm, was celebrated for his comedic timing and relatable charm that appealed to television audiences for years.
A statement from the family described Wendt as “a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant” to those who knew him personally.
Though the official cause of death remains undisclosed, Wendt had faced health issues recently. In 2012, he had coronary bypass surgery after a constricted artery was discovered, leading him to exit a Chicago, Illinois theater production. More recently, he had been seen using a cane for mobility assistance.
Born on October 17, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, Wendt was the eighth of nine children. After an unsuccessful attempt at the University of Notre Dame, he found his passion for comedy at Chicago’s Second City theater in the 1970s. There, he met actress Bernadette Birkett, whom he married in 1978. They had three children: Hilary, Joe, and Daniel. Wendt also helped raise Birkett’s sons, Joshua and Andrew, from her previous relationship.
Following his time at Second City, Wendt appeared in minor roles on TV shows such as “Taxi” and “M*A*S*H” before his breakthrough role on “Cheers” in 1982. His character’s entrance catchphrase “Afternoon, everybody” was famously met with “NORM!” by the bar patrons. Wendt appeared in all 275 episodes of the series, which ran for 11 seasons until 1993, alongside Ted Danson and Rhea Perlman.
Ted Danson, who played Sam Malone on “Cheers,” expressed deep sorrow over the loss of his colleague, stating he was “devastated” by the news.
John Ratzenberger, who portrayed Cliff Clavin, described Wendt as “a true craftsman — humble, hilarious, and full of heart.”
Co-star Rhea Perlman commented on Wendt’s pleasant nature, saying “it was impossible not to like him.”
After “Cheers,” Wendt led “The George Wendt Show,” playing a garage mechanic with a radio show. Despite the promising premise, it was canceled after six episodes in 1995.
Wendt showed versatility in films such as “Dreamscape” (1984), “House” (1985), “Fletch” (1985), “Gung Ho” (1986), “Forever Young” (1992), and “Spice World” (1997).
His talents extended to the stage, performing on Broadway in roles like Edna Turnblad in “Hairspray” (2007-2008) and Santa Claus in “Elf the Musical” (2010). In regional theater, he played Willy Loman in a 2017 Ontario production of “Death of a Salesman.” Wendt once humorously described performing in “Hairspray” as “absolute utter joy and entirely different from anything in my world.”
Wendt’s comedic influence continued through his family, as he was the uncle of Emmy-winning actor Jason Sudeikis. In a June 2024 podcast, Wendt expressed pride in Sudeikis, describing him as “such a great kid” and commending his success and character.
Wendt’s last public appearances highlighted his enduring connection to the “Cheers” cast. In January 2025, he joined former co-stars at the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards around a replica of the show’s bar. He also appeared on the “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” podcast with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson in August 2024. On June 1, 2024, he participated in the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend charity event in Kansas City, Missouri, performing alongside NFL player Travis Kelce.
Reflecting on his role as Norm Peterson, Wendt told Chicago Magazine in 2021, “Norm is just me with better writing,” noting the abundance of talented actors who could have delivered the lines he received.
The National Comedy Center acknowledged Wendt’s impact on American humor, with Executive Director Journey Gunderson highlighting his ability to create characters that felt like family to viewers.
In a significant coincidence, Wendt died exactly 32 years after the “Cheers” series finale aired. He is survived by his wife Bernadette Birkett, their children Hilary, Joe, and Daniel, his stepsons Joshua and Andrew, and his extended family, including nephew Jason Sudeikis.
