George Wendt, the much-appreciated and celebrated character actor best-known for playing Norm Peterson on the classic small-screen sitcom Cheers, has died. At the time of his death, he was 76 years old. Wendt’s depiction of the affable barfly made for six Emmy nominations. This pioneering accomplishment cemented him — and his show — into the golden annals of television history.
Wendt’s career is far too extensive to list all his accomplishments on television and in film. He received a standing ovation for his surprise appearance at the 2024 Emmys, reuniting with his Cheers castmates. Collectively, they reminisced on their common heritage and the enduring effect of the iconic series.
Throughout his life, Wendt would frequently recount how much he enjoyed the character. He noted, “It was one of my two favorite roles, apart from Norm.” This sentiment underscores the importance of this character to Wendt’s entire career. He once remarked, “I have some characteristics in common with him besides our fondness for beer. I think I’m a lot happier than Norm.”
Cheers star Wendt was a beer lover well before hitting it big on the NBC sitcom. He humorously recalled, “When I put a couple of six packs on top of my grocery shopping cart, people are pleased. I tell ‘em I’m taking them home to rehearse.”
Wendt’s career featured notable roles in a string of other television series and movies. He was Macaulay Culkin’s father in Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” video. In 1995 he headlined the sitcom The George Wendt Show, but it was cancelled after only six episodes aired. His versatility led him into a wide variety of roles. He had cameos on other popular shows such as Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Colombo, Portlandia, and The Goldbergs.
Wendt’s influence on cinema is one that will never be forgotten. He appeared in legendary productions such as “Guilty by Suspicion” with Robert De Niro, “Fletch” with Chevy Chase and “Space Truckers” with Dennis Hopper. His work in television and film embraced his insane talent, epic energy, global comedy skills, for an ever-lasting legacy for the ages.