'It was impossible not to like him': Emmy-nominated Cheers star (76) passes away
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The television industry has been home to some of the most talented and interesting individuals.
Today, fans of the golden age of sitcoms mourn as they say goodbye to one of the era's beloved faces.
George Wendt, the actor who brought Norm Peterson to life on Cheers, has passed away.
His family confirmed his passing through a statement.
He died peacefully at the age of 76, surrounded by loved ones.
For over a decade, George Wendt was a fixture in living rooms across the world.
He played as the affable, beer-loving Norm on the 1982 sitcom Cheers.
The show ran until 1993, with Wendt appearing in all 275 episodes.
Over the years, he earned six Emmy nominations for his work, which cemented his place in TV history.
'The Norm you see in Cheers has been years in the making,' Wendt once reflected on his connection to the fictional character.
'I have some characteristics in common with him besides our fondness for beer. But I think I'm a lot happier than Norm.'
'I was a beer drinker long before Cheers. When I put a couple of six packs on top of my grocery shopping cart, people are pleased,' Wendt jokingly shared.
'I tell them I'm taking them home to rehearse.'
However, Norm's character went beyond Cheers.
He reprised Norm in several other shows, including Frasier, Wings, ongoing animated series The Simpsons, Family Guy, and The Tortellis.
These appearances made Norm one of the most recognisable and enduring characters on television.
His comedic timing and charm made him a favourite not just with viewers but with his fellow cast members as well.
Tributes have poured in from his Cheers co-stars, highlighting the deep bonds formed during their years together.
'I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us,' actor Ted Danson expressed his heartbreak in a post.
'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.'
Rhea Perlman, who played Carla Tortelli, remembered Wendt as 'the sweetest, kindest man I ever met'.
'It was impossible not to like him,' Perlman added.
Watch George Wendt's interview in The David Letterman Show here:
Source: Letterman/YouTube
'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 c*** 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,' she concluded.
John Ratzenberger, who played his on-air buddy Cliff Clavin, said he was 'heartbroken' over Wendt's passing.
'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,' Ratzenberger recounted.
'George brought Norm to life with a subtle brilliance, the kind that made it look easy. That was his gift.'
George Wendt continued to be a TV staple after Cheers.
He hosted The George Wendt Show in 1995 and made memorable appearances in shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Columbo, Portlandia, and The Goldbergs.
He also worked alongside Hollywood heavyweights on the big screen, appearing in films like Guilty by Suspicion, Fletch, Space Truckers, and Forever Young.
He even appeared in Michael Jackson's iconic music video for 'Black or White'.
Look back at George Wendt's career here:
Source: Entertainment Tonight/YouTube
Wendt also shone on stage as he starred as Edna Turnblad in the Broadway production of Hairspray.
'Absolute utter joy and entirely different from anything in my world,' Wendt shared as he looked back at the experience.
Wendt also appeared on The Masked Singer and in the 2022 festive comedy Christmas with the Campbells.
Last year, Wendt reunited with his Cheers castmates at the 2024 Emmys.
George Wendt's passing marked the end of an era for television, but his legacy lives on in the laughter and warmth he brought to millions of viewers.
Let's raise a glass to George Wendt, a true legend of the small screen.
May he rest in peace.
Today, fans of the golden age of sitcoms mourn as they say goodbye to one of the era's beloved faces.
George Wendt, the actor who brought Norm Peterson to life on Cheers, has passed away.
His family confirmed his passing through a statement.
He died peacefully at the age of 76, surrounded by loved ones.
George Wendt as Norm on the 200th episode special of Cheers. Image Credit: IMdB
For over a decade, George Wendt was a fixture in living rooms across the world.
He played as the affable, beer-loving Norm on the 1982 sitcom Cheers.
The show ran until 1993, with Wendt appearing in all 275 episodes.
Over the years, he earned six Emmy nominations for his work, which cemented his place in TV history.
'The Norm you see in Cheers has been years in the making,' Wendt once reflected on his connection to the fictional character.
'I have some characteristics in common with him besides our fondness for beer. But I think I'm a lot happier than Norm.'
'I was a beer drinker long before Cheers. When I put a couple of six packs on top of my grocery shopping cart, people are pleased,' Wendt jokingly shared.
'I tell them I'm taking them home to rehearse.'
However, Norm's character went beyond Cheers.
He reprised Norm in several other shows, including Frasier, Wings, ongoing animated series The Simpsons, Family Guy, and The Tortellis.
These appearances made Norm one of the most recognisable and enduring characters on television.
His comedic timing and charm made him a favourite not just with viewers but with his fellow cast members as well.
Tributes have poured in from his Cheers co-stars, highlighting the deep bonds formed during their years together.
'I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us,' actor Ted Danson expressed his heartbreak in a post.
'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.'
Rhea Perlman, who played Carla Tortelli, remembered Wendt as 'the sweetest, kindest man I ever met'.
'It was impossible not to like him,' Perlman added.
Watch George Wendt's interview in The David Letterman Show here:
Source: Letterman/YouTube
'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 c*** 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,' she concluded.
John Ratzenberger, who played his on-air buddy Cliff Clavin, said he was 'heartbroken' over Wendt's passing.
'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,' Ratzenberger recounted.
'George brought Norm to life with a subtle brilliance, the kind that made it look easy. That was his gift.'
George Wendt continued to be a TV staple after Cheers.
He hosted The George Wendt Show in 1995 and made memorable appearances in shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Columbo, Portlandia, and The Goldbergs.
He also worked alongside Hollywood heavyweights on the big screen, appearing in films like Guilty by Suspicion, Fletch, Space Truckers, and Forever Young.
He even appeared in Michael Jackson's iconic music video for 'Black or White'.
Look back at George Wendt's career here:
Source: Entertainment Tonight/YouTube
Wendt also shone on stage as he starred as Edna Turnblad in the Broadway production of Hairspray.
'Absolute utter joy and entirely different from anything in my world,' Wendt shared as he looked back at the experience.
Wendt also appeared on The Masked Singer and in the 2022 festive comedy Christmas with the Campbells.
Last year, Wendt reunited with his Cheers castmates at the 2024 Emmys.
George Wendt's passing marked the end of an era for television, but his legacy lives on in the laughter and warmth he brought to millions of viewers.
May he rest in peace.
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RIP Normy (Narmy) Condolences to his loved ones 
