George Wendt, Cheers Star, Dies at 76

George Wendt, the comedian-turned-actor champion known for his relation arsenic “Norm Peterson” connected the classical sitcom Cheers, died Tuesday astatine the property of 76.

Wendt died peacefully successful his slumber astatine home, according to The Hollywood Reporter, who received the pursuing connection from a household representative:

“George was a doting household man, a well-loved person and confidant to each of those fortunate capable to person known him. … He volition beryllium missed forever. The household has requested privateness during this time.”

The Chicago autochthonal began his vocation arsenic a standup comic successful the 1970s with the improv troupe Second City. As an actor, Wendt recovered fame – and earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for champion supporting histrion successful a drama bid – during his 11 seasons connected Cheers.

George Wendt arsenic "Norm" connected NBC's Cheers.

Wendt’s everyman quality Norm was a regular astatine the Boston barroom whose entranceway (“Norm!!”) became a instrumentality favourite infinitesimal of each episode. Along with co-stars Ted Danson and Rhea Perlman, Wendt is the lone formed subordinate to person appeared successful each occurrence of Cheers during its 1982-1993 run.

Beyond Cheers, Wendt appeared connected Saturday Night Live arsenic Chicago Bears mega-fan Bob Swerski successful the show’s “Da Bears” skits. (Decades aboriginal Wendt’s nephew, Jason Sudeikis, would go a regular connected SNL earlier starring successful Ted Lasso.)

Wendt besides guest-starred connected everything from Becker (starring his Cheers pal Danson) to Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Hot successful Cleveland.

Wendt’s diagnostic movie credits see Dreamscape (1984), Fletch (1985), Gung Ho (1986), Guilty by Suspicion (1991), Forever Young (1992) and Spice World (1997).