George Wendt, Beloved ‘Cheers’ Actor Known for Role as Norm Peterson, Dies at 76

George Wendt, the actor best known for his role as Norm Peterson on the beloved 1980s sitcom Cheers, has passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 76. Wendt’s portrayal of the affable, beer-loving bar regular earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor and made him a household name. Cheers, set in a Boston bar where ‘everybody knows your name,’ was a cultural phenomenon that ran for 11 seasons and spawned the successful spin-off Frasier. Wendt appeared in all 273 episodes, delivering his iconic greeting, ‘afternoon everybody,’ which became a fan favorite. Beyond Cheers, Wendt was a prominent stage actor, performing in Broadway productions such as Art, Hairspray, and Elf, and he honed his craft with Chicago’s renowned Second City improvisation troupe. Born in Chicago as one of nine children, Wendt graduated with a degree in economics before pursuing acting. He married actress Bernadette Birkett in 1978, who voiced Norm’s wife on Cheers, and they had three children. His nephew is actor Jason Sudeikis, known for his lead role in Ted Lasso. Wendt’s family described him as a devoted family man and cherished friend, expressing that he will be deeply missed.