R.I.P. George Wendt: ‘Cheers’ Star Dead At 76

Published May 20, 2025, 4:46 p.m. ET

Actor George Wendt died on Tuesday, TMZ reports. He was 76.

The late Cheers star’s family informed the outlet that he passed away in his sleep, though a cause of death was not specified.

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, a representative for Wendt honored him as “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,” they added. “The family has requested privacy during this time.”

Wendt is most commonly known for playing Norm Peterson on Cheers, appearing in nearly every episode of the hit sitcom, per IMDb. The show ran for 11 seasons from 1982 until 1993.

The actor had reunited with co-stars Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson in the summer of 2024 for an episode of their Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast.

He also made a name for himself on Saturday Night Live after hosting the sketch comedy show in 1991, appearing as Bob Swerski in the Bill Swerski’s Superfans sketch, per People.

Photo: Ron Tom/©CBS/Courtesy Everett Collection

The Chicago native also made cameos on numerous sitcoms and series over the course of his career — both before and after Cheers — including Hart to Hart, Taxi, Alice, Seinfeld, Spin City, The Naked Truth, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, George Lopez, Family Guy, and The Goldbergs.

In terms of film, Wendt earned credits in Forever Young (1992), The Little Rascals (1994), Bye Bye Birdie (1995), Alice in Wonderland (1999), Santa Buddies (2009), Sandy Wexler (2017) , and Christmas with the Campbells (2022).

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