George Wendt, who played Norm on ‘Cheers,’ has died

Fans of the classic TV sitcom Cheers are raising a beer stein for one of its beloved cast members, actor George Wendt. He played Norm Peterson, a beer-loving regular at the bar “where everybody knows your name.” Wendt’s publicist, Melissa Nathan shared a statement from his family who confirmed on Tuesday that the 76-year-old actor died peacefully in his sleep at home.

“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” his family wrote. “He will be missed forever.”

Wendt was born on the South Side of Chicago, and got his start in the 1970s performing with the prestigious improv comedy troupe The Second City. After that, he began appearing in bit parts on iconic TV shows including Taxi and M*A*S*H.

On Saturday Night Live in 1991, he appeared as a Chicago Bears “superfan” named Bob Swerski who gathered to cheer on “Da Bears.” He also played the irritated dad of Macaulay Culkin’s character in Michael Jackson’s 1991 Black or White music video.

George Wendt appeared as Norm in every episode of Cheers, earning six Primetime Emmy nominations.
George Wendt appeared as Norm in every episode of Cheers, earning six Primetime Emmy nominations. (AJ Pics | Alamy Stock Photo)

Wendt also appeared in movies including Dreamscape (1984), House (1985), Fletch (1985), and Spice World (1997).

But the role he was most known for was as Norm, who was in every episode of the NBC show Cheers, which ran from 1982 until 1993. As the lovable barfly, Wendt earned six consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for supporting actor in a comedy series.

He went on to reprise the role in the show’s spinoffs The Tortellis (1987) and Frasier. Wendt also starred in The George Wendt Show (1995), a short-lived sitcom in which he played a car mechanic and radio host.

Among Wendt’s survivors are his wife, actress Bernadette Birkett, his three kids and his nephew, actor Jason Sudeikis.

 

Supreme Court grants DOGE access to confidential Social Security records

The order, for now, overturns actions that limited DOGE's access to sensitive private information. In a separate case, the court said DOGE did not have to share internal records with a watchdog group.

Trump admin asks SCOTUS to intervene and allow Ed Dept cuts

In an emergency appeal, the administration is asking the Supreme Court to lift a lower-court order blocking mass staffing cuts at the Education Department.

Sea turtle Dilly Dally released into the ocean with three flippers after undergoing amputation

Dilly Dally, a loggerhead turtle who survived a run-in with a predator that ultimately cost her a flipper, has been rereleased into the wild.

He led George W. Bush’s PEPFAR program to stop AIDS. Now he fears for its future

Dr. Mark Dybul was an architect of PEPFAR, a program credited with saving 26 million lives. Now its future could be in jeopardy as Congress reviews the Trump administration's funding rescission memo.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, wrongly deported to El Salvador, is back in the U.S. to face smuggling charges

Abrego Garcia will face criminal charges for allegedly transporting migrants without legal status around the country, according to a Justice Department indictment.

With an eye to the World Cup, Trump signs executive order on drone risks

The risks of drones have been underscored by Russia's drone strikes in Ukraine, and Ukraine's surprise drone strikes that destroyed some aircraft deep within Russia, the White House said.

More Front Page Coverage