George Wendt, Who Played Norm on "Cheers", Dies at 76
by J. Kim Murphy
May 20, 2025


George Wendt, an American actor and comedian who earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance as Norm Peterson on the beloved NBC comedy series “Cheers”, died Tuesday morning at his home. He was 76.

Wendt’s death was confirmed by his publicist Melissa Nathan with the following statement: “George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”

Wendt’s affinity for comedy made him a regular on SNL through the ’90s, drawing on his Southside roots to join Chris Farley, Mike Myers and Robert Smigel in the recurring mustachioed Chicago Superfans sketches.

https://variety.com/2025/tv/obituaries-people-news/george-wendt-dead-cheers-1236404992/

I wonder if we will get a Catchy marathon this weekend in place of Brooklyn Bridge?

I am not a big fan of Cheers but Norm was the star of the show in my opinion! Rest in peace George!

He incidentally, passed on the 32nd anniversary (https://www.tvtango.com/listings/1993/05/20) of the series finale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_for_the_Road_(Cheers)) of Cheers being broadcast.

Poor Norm :(

Peterson Crusoe is one of my favorite episodes of any sitcom.

Norm!!!!!!

My favourite Norm centric episode was "The Peterson Principle" from season 4.

Some actors throw away lines. George threw away his whole performance.

George created the world's most beloved barfly. Thank you George and rest in peace. Condolences to Bernadette Birkett and the rest of the family.

Norm!!!!!!

My favourite Norm centric episode was "The Peterson Principle" from season 4, which includes the great "Milk-Bone underwear," gag.

Some actors throw away lines. George threw away his whole performance.

George created the world's most beloved barfly. Thank you George and rest in peace. Condolences to Bernadette Birkett and the rest of the family.[/QUOTE]

What shocks me is that when Cheers first went on the air (https://www.reddit.com/r/80s/comments/xq13it/ages_of_the_cast_of_cheers_during_the_first_season/) in the fall of 1982, George Wendt (https://officialfan.proboards.com/thread/639312/rip-george-wendt) was about 33-34 years old. But he looked (at least in my eyes) looked (https://www.reddit.com/r/GenX/comments/14hwgzj/these_two_were_in_their_thirties_during_the/) at least a decade or so older. I mean, Ted Danson (who was born on December 29, 1947) is/was older (https://www.reddit.com/r/Cheers/comments/10kttlb/cheers_characters_ages/) than George by at least a year. John Ratzenberger was about 35 years old (roughly the same age that Ted Danson was) when Cheers started and he too, physically or visually gave off the vibe (https://www.reddit.com/r/Cheers/comments/emd4uz/do_people_age_better_now_than_in_the_80s/) of being much older than he actually was.

I am not a big fan of Cheers but Norm was the star of the show in my opinion! Rest in peace George!

I feel the same. My favorite parts of Cheers are the opening song, and Norm.

George Wendt showed that sitcom greatness can be the art of doing one simple thing over and over (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/20/arts/television/george-wendt-norm-cheers.html)

But often sitcom greatness is the art of doing one simple thing over and over — Norm appeared in every episode of the show's 11 seasons ...

I wonder if we will get a Catchy marathon this weekend in place of Brooklyn Bridge?

Yep, they've been showing commercials for it. I'd rather watch Cheers anyway.

Kelsey Grammer remembers Cheers co-star George Wendt as "extraordinary" and "hysterical" (https://ew.com/kelsey-grammer-remembers-george-wendt-cheers-costar-tribute-11740048)

"It was a bit of a surprise," Grammer said Wednesday on Gayle King's SiriusXM show of learning of Wendt's death at age 76 on Tuesday, per EW. "George was a lovely guy. I mean, it's still odd to speak of him in a past tense right now, but it was just yesterday morning we found out. And I was just sitting writing something at the moment. I got a call. But I spoke to his family yesterday and just told them how much I liked him and, you know, choked up a little bit." Grammer added: "For 11 years, America waited for him to walk into a bar every Thursday night and say something funny. And they just knew he wouldn't disappoint. He was extraordinary. He'd sort of just lope across that floor and sit down at that stool and order that beer and say something that set the world on fire."

:rip:

DJ5xJZNssjZ

DJ5xJZNssjZ

He's in good company now. R.I.P. George.

Brett Goldstein tells Ted Danson: I was with Jason Sudeikis when he learned of his uncle George Wendt's death (https://nypost.com/2025/06/11/entertainment/how-jason-sudeikis-learned-of-his-uncle-george-wendts-death/)

Brett Goldstein told Ted Danson how Jason Sudeikis reacted to the news of his uncle and "Cheers" star George Wendt's death.

Cheers: George Wendt's 10 Best Moments As Norm We'll Always Remember (https://screenrant.com/cheers-george-wendt-norm-best-moments-scenes/)

George Wendt had some classic moments as Norm on Cheers (https://screenrant.com/db/tv-show/cheers/), but these 10 scenes were the absolute best of the beloved character and actor.