George Wendt, Beloved ‘Cheers’ Actor Known for Playing Norm, Dies at 76

George Wendt, the affable and enduring actor best known for his role as Norm Peterson on NBC’s long-running sitcom Cheers, has died at the age of 76. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning at his home, according to his publicist Melissa Nathan, who shared that Wendt was “a doting family man, a well-loved friend, and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him.” His family has requested privacy as they mourn this immense loss.

A Face That Felt Like Home

To millions of television viewers around the world, George Wendt wasn’t just another actor — he was Norm, the lovable bar regular whose arrival at Boston’s most iconic fictional watering hole would trigger a cheerful, “Norm!” from the patrons and staff. His warm presence, perfectly timed quips, and gentle comedic rhythm made him a central figure on Cheers throughout its entire 11-season run from 1982 to 1993.

The role earned Wendt six consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. More importantly, it earned him a permanent place in pop culture history. Norm’s signature line — “Afternoon, everybody!” — and his dry, beer-soaked observations gave the show a dependable center of gravity in a cast filled with memorable personalities.

From Improv to International Fame

Born on October 17, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, Wendt was one of nine children in a large Irish-American family. After starting his college journey at the University of Notre Dame, he completed his studies at Jesuit Rockhurst College in Kansas City, earning a degree in economics. But it wasn’t long before his true passion — performance — pulled him in a different direction.

He found his comedic voice in the heart of Chicago’s improv scene, becoming a regular performer at the legendary Second City. It was there that Wendt honed his talent for sketch and character-driven comedy, working alongside future stars and comedy legends. It was also where he met his future wife, actress Bernadette Birkett, who would later provide the voice of Norm’s never-seen wife, Vera, on Cheers. The couple married in 1978 and raised three children together.

Beyond the Barstool

Although Norm was Wendt’s most famous character, he worked steadily across film, television, and theater for decades. After Cheers, he headlined The George Wendt Show on CBS in 1995, though it ran only briefly. Still, his friendly face and comic timing made him a welcome presence in a wide variety of productions.

His film work included roles in cult classics and major studio comedies such as Fletch (1985), Gung Ho (1986), House (1985), and even the British pop extravaganza Spice World (1997). In 2019, he appeared in the indie comedy The Climb, showing his enduring range and continued relevance in modern cinema.

Television remained a steady home for Wendt. He made appearances on beloved shows like Columbo, The Twilight Zone, George Lopez, Hot in Cleveland, and Fresh Off the Boat. In the 1990s, he also became a familiar figure on Saturday Night Live, most memorably in the recurring “Superfans” sketch, where he portrayed one of the die-hard Chicago Bears fans opposite Chris Farley and Mike Myers.

In a quirky 1986 episode of SNL, Wendt co-hosted alongside director Francis Ford Coppola, with composer Philip Glass providing the musical performance — a moment that remains one of the more eclectic in the show’s history.

A Life on Stage

Later in his career, Wendt expanded into the world of theater. He took on diverse roles including Edna Turnblad in Broadway’s Hairspray, a part traditionally played in drag. He reprised the role at Canada’s Charlottetown Festival, earning praise for both his comedic performance and musical ability. He also appeared as Santa Claus in Elf the Musical and tackled the emotionally demanding role of Willy Loman in a 2017 production of Death of a Salesman in Ontario.

His theatrical work demonstrated that Wendt was more than just a sitcom staple — he was a seasoned performer capable of inhabiting a wide range of characters, from whimsical to tragic.

Family and Legacy

Outside of his professional life, George Wendt was a devoted husband, father, and uncle. In a touching bit of generational continuity, he was the uncle of Saturday Night Live and Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, who has often spoken warmly of Wendt’s influence on his own career in comedy.

Though Wendt never again found a role as iconic as Norm Peterson, he never seemed to mind. He was an actor content with his legacy — a man whose career was built not on reinvention, but on reliability, heart, and impeccable timing. Whether onscreen or off, he brought humor and warmth to every room he entered.

In 2023, Wendt made a surprise appearance on The Masked Singer, showing once again his love for entertaining — and his willingness to have fun, even in unexpected formats.

Remembering George Wendt

George Wendt’s passing marks the end of an era for television comedy, but his influence will live on in reruns, in live theater, in the memories of those he worked with, and in the hearts of fans who still feel like Norm is someone they’d want to sit next to at a bar.

He is survived by his wife, Bernadette Birkett, and their three children. In honoring his legacy, his family asks for privacy during this time of grief.

George Wendt may be gone, but the echo of “Norm!” will continue to resonate — a tribute to a character, and to the man who played him with such heart.

For more on George Wendt’s life and career, you can explore his IMDb profile or read tributes shared by friends and fans across social media.