George Wendt, ‘Cheers’ actor who played Norm, dies at 76

(KTLA) — Actor George Wendt, who famously played Norm Peterson in the hit sitcom “Cheers,” has passed away. He was 76 years old.

He died early Tuesday morning, his publicist, Melissa Nathan, confirmed to Nexstar.

“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever,” Nathan said in a statement. “The family has requested privacy during this time.”

Wendt’s family told Nathan that he died peacefully in his sleep, at home. No cause of death was given.

The NBC sitcom “Cheers,” which ran from 1982 to 1993, helped Wendt earn six Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series.

Following the success of “Cheers,” he had his own sitcom called “The George Wendt Show,” which aired on CBS from March 8 to April 12, 1995.

The Chicago native also starred in “Airplane II: The Sequel,” “No Small Affair,” “Fletch,” Spice World,” the 1994 film “The Little Rascals,” and more.

According to IMDB, his last role was in the television movie “Love’s Second Act” in 2024.

He also revived his role as Bob Swerski, one of the characters who became iconic on “Saturday Night Live” in the “Da Bears” skit, during last year’s Big Slick Celebrity Weekend, a charity event put on by Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd, and Wendt’s nephew, Jason Sudeikis, in Kansas City.

Wendt, as Swerski, appeared alongside Robert Smigel, who frequently appeared in the “SNL” skit; Sudeikis; and Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

Wendt is survived by his wife and three children.