George Wendt, the actor best known for his portrayal of Norm Peterson on the iconic NBC sitcom “Cheers,” has passed away. He was 76.
Wendt died peacefully in his sleep at home, surrounded by his family, his representatives confirmed early Tuesday morning. A well-known comedian and improviser, Wendt played the lovable and iconic character Norm for all 11 seasons of “Cheers.”
Born in Chicago on October 17, 1948, Wendt began his career with the renowned Second City comedy troupe in the 1970s. He later appeared on Saturday Night Live and in numerous films, including “Dreamscape” and “Fletch.” In addition to his work on “Cheers,” Wendt had recurring roles on several TV shows, including “St. Elsewhere,” “The Simpsons,” and “Seinfeld.”
Wendt is also remembered for his beer commercials with Miller Lite and Meister Brau, where fans would often shout “Norm!” at him. He wrote a book, “Drinking With George: A Barstool Professional’s Guide to Beer,” in 2009.
Throughout his career, Wendt remained humble and down-to-earth, crediting his love of beer as a key part of his happiness. As he once said, “I’m a simple man, I don’t ask for much. Give me a nice comfortable chair, a cool breeze, a ballgame on the radio and an ice-cold beer, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/george-wendt-dead-cheers-norm-obit-1236222950