George Wendt (Norm) Dies at 76 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 05-20-2025, 04:01 PM

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/obituari...rs-1236404992/

sm95fan · 05-20-2025, 04:19 PM

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

TVShowAddict · 05-20-2025, 04:32 PM

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

TMC · 05-20-2025, 04:35 PM

He incidentally, passed on the 32nd anniversary of the series finale of Cheers being broadcast.

Dude111 · 05-20-2025, 05:25 PM

Poor Norm

Alan Brady's Hair · 05-20-2025, 07:15 PM

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

chipsaugratin · 05-20-2025, 08:54 PM

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.

chipsaugratin · 05-20-2025, 10:40 PM

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]

TMC · 05-21-2025, 01:03 AM

What shocks me is that when Cheers first went on the air in the fall of 1982, George Wendt was about 33-34 years old. But he looked (at least in my eyes) looked at least a decade or so older. I mean, Ted Danson (who was born on December 29, 1947) is/was older 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 of being much older than he actually was.

ThisLittlePiggy · 05-21-2025, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVShowAddict

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.

TMC · 05-21-2025, 06:21 PM

George Wendt showed that sitcom greatness can be the art of doing one simple thing over and over

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 ...

FredScuttle · 05-21-2025, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sm95fan

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.

TMC · 05-22-2025, 06:04 PM

Kelsey Grammer remembers Cheers co-star George Wendt as "extraordinary" and "hysterical"

"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."

Ohio8 · 05-23-2025, 12:07 AM

TMC · 05-30-2025, 04:08 AM

A post shared by on Jan 01, 2022 at 12:00pm PDT

05-20-2025, 04:01 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,956	George Wendt (Norm) Dies at 76 *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/obituari...rs-1236404992/ Attached Images

05-23-2025, 12:07 AM	#14
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,886	Attached Images

05-20-2025, 04:19 PM	#2
sm95fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2021 Location: Las Lunas Posts: 1,880	I wonder if we will get a Catchy marathon this weekend in place of Brooklyn Bridge?

05-20-2025, 04:32 PM	#3
TVShowAddict Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 12, 2018 Posts: 296	I am not a big fan of Cheers but Norm was the star of the show in my opinion! Rest in peace George!

05-20-2025, 04:35 PM	#4
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,453	He incidentally, passed on the 32nd anniversary of the series finale of Cheers being broadcast.

05-20-2025, 05:25 PM	#5
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 35,363	Poor Norm

05-20-2025, 07:15 PM	#6
Alan Brady's Hair Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 30, 2014 Posts: 1,822	Peterson Crusoe is one of my favorite episodes of any sitcom.

05-20-2025, 08:54 PM	#7
chipsaugratin Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 07, 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 194	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.

05-20-2025, 10:40 PM	#8
chipsaugratin Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 07, 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 194	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]

05-21-2025, 01:03 AM	#9
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,453	What shocks me is that when Cheers first went on the air in the fall of 1982, George Wendt was about 33-34 years old. But he looked (at least in my eyes) looked at least a decade or so older. I mean, Ted Danson (who was born on December 29, 1947) is/was older 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 of being much older than he actually was.

05-21-2025, 06:21 PM	#11
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,453	George Wendt showed that sitcom greatness can be the art of doing one simple thing over and over 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 ...

05-22-2025, 06:04 PM	#13
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,453	Kelsey Grammer remembers Cheers co-star George Wendt as "extraordinary" and "hysterical" "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."

05-30-2025, 04:08 AM	#15
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,453	A post shared by on Jan 01, 2022 at 12:00pm PDT