George Wendt, Emmy-nominated actor known for playing Norm on 'Cheers,' dies at 76

George Wendt, the histrion champion known for his starring relation arsenic Norm Peterson successful the NBC sitcom “Cheers,” has died astatine 76. The histrion famously appeared successful astir each occurrence of the show, and the relation earned him aggregate Emmy nominations implicit the people of the series.

Wendt died astatine location successful his sleep, a household typical confirmed to The Times connected Tuesday. A origin of decease was not revealed.

“George was a doting household man, a well-loved person and confidant to each of those fortunate capable to person known him,” the typical said successful a statement. “He volition beryllium missed forever.”

“From his aboriginal days with The Second City to his iconic relation arsenic Norm connected Cheers, George Wendt’s enactment showcased however drama tin make indelible characters that consciousness similar family,” National Comedy Center enforcement manager Journey Gunderson said successful a statement. “Over the people of 11 seasons, helium brought warmth and wit to 1 of television’s astir beloved roles. His enactment is proudly featured successful the National Comedy Center, and we grant his bequest and the joyousness helium brought to generations of fans.”

When “Cheers” aired from 1982 to 1993, viewers could trust connected Wendt to marque an quality arsenic overmuch arsenic the titular Boston bar’s proprietor Sam Malone (Ted Danson) and barkeeps could trust connected Norm for business. The Cheers unit would greet him with a boisterous “Norm!” successful each episode. Wendt’s character, who made the right-corner barstool his territory, ever arrived with a adust gag astir his idiosyncratic beingness — and his not-so-happy matrimony — and a hankering for beer, of course.

“Well, subject is seeking a cure for thirst. I hap to beryllium the guinea pig,” Norm joked successful Season 1.

As Norm, Wendt became an unexpected staple connected “Cheers,” sharing the surface with Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer, John Ratzenberger, Kirstie Alley and Woody Harrelson. He received six Primetime Emmy nominations — helium was archetypal nominated successful 1984 — for the role. Though helium ne'er won the prize, Wendt’s memorable performances appealed to much than conscionable viewers and critics. Amid his “Cheers” popularity, helium won implicit web bosses too.

After “Cheers” ended successful 1993, wrapping up 11 seasons, Wendt received enactment from Paramount, NBC and bid creators James Burrows, Les Charles and Glen Charles to pb his ain show, including a imaginable Norm spin-off and a abstracted drama that would spot him arsenic the loafing proprietor of a barbecue joint. But Wendt, who had portrayed Norm for astir a 4th of his beingness astatine the time, told The Times successful 1995, “I conscionable wasn’t emotionally acceptable to see them.”

“My bosom wasn’t successful it astatine the time,” helium said.

The Chicago-born histrion followed up his clip connected “Cheers” with a assortment of acting opportunities ranging from signifier productions of “Wild Men!” and David Mamet’s “Lake Boat” to movies including “The Little Rascals” and “Man of the House.” He returned to the sitcom country with “The George Wendt Show,” which aired concisely connected CBS successful 1995. The bid starred Wendt and Pat Finn arsenic brothers who ain a car store successful Wisconsin and big a vigor show. To Wendt, his caller sitcom quality was “just Norm without a brew successful his hand.”

Ahead of the series’ premiere, Wendt acknowledged the unit to win successful aftermath of the popularity of “Cheers” and spin-off “Frasier,” led by erstwhile co-star Grammer. “So the comparisons are astir bound to beryllium disappointing,” helium said, earlier contending aboriginal successful the interview, “I surely americium jealous.”

Despite that show’s trouble successful reaching the aforesaid heights arsenic “Cheers” and “Frasier,” Wendt enactment unneurotic a varied acting vocation that included roles connected “The Naked Truth,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Modern Men,” “Clipped” and “Portlandia.” Over the years, helium would reprise the relation of Norm for “Family Guy,” “Frasier” and “The Simpsons.” He was besides known for appearing arsenic Bob Swerski successful respective “Saturday Night Live” sketches astir avid sports fans who raved astir “Da Bears,” and successful 2023 helium competed connected “The Masked Singer.”

Wendt was calved Oct. 17, 1948, and attended Campion High School successful Wisconsin. He was concisely a pupil astatine Notre Dame but aft being dismissed transferred to Rockhurst University successful Kansas City and graduated with a grade successful economics. He was an alumnus of the renowned Second City improv troupe, which helped motorboat his vocation successful the aboriginal 1980s.

When Wendt archetypal auditioned for “Cheers,” helium was expected to utter 1 word: “beer.” Ultimately, helium told GQ successful 2012, his cause said it was “too tiny a role” and encouraged him to work for “a feline who ne'er near the bar.” More than 40 years and 250 episodes later, Wendt had intelligibly go truthful overmuch much to the TV community. He besides pursued a signifier vocation that took him to Broadway successful productions of “Art,” “Hairspray” and “Elf.”

After the extremity of “Cheers,” Wendt recounted a recurring imagination to The Times successful 1995: In the dream, helium was backmost connected acceptable with his co-stars and generating laughter with thing helium did oregon said. Burrows tells him, “That’s great, let’s usage that.”

“Then you aftermath up and there’s nary amusement to enactment it in,” Wendt recalled. “You know, I person dreams astir [“Cheers”]. I mean, that’s missing something.”

He is survived by his wife, Second City seasoned Bernadette Birkett, who voiced Norm’s elusive woman Vera; his children, Hilary, Joe and Daniel; and his stepchildren, Joshua and Andrew.

Times TV exertion Maira Garcia and the Associated Press contributed to this report.