George Wendt, an American actor and comedian best known for his role as Norm Peterson on the beloved NBC comedy series “Cheers,” died Tuesday morning at his home. He was 76.
Wendt earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance as Norm, a loyal barfly whose regular catchphrase “Afternoon everybody” became a fan favorite motif of the show. The actor appeared in all 273 episodes of “Cheers” and later reprise the role on spin-offs “The Tortellis” and “Frasier.”
Born on October 17, 1948, in Chicago, Wendt started his career at The Second City improv group in the 1970s before becoming a television actor. He went on to lead his own sitcom, “The George Wendt Show,” but it was briefly scrapped after only one month.
Wendt’s affinity for comedy also led him to regular appearances on “Saturday Night Live” and guest spots on numerous TV shows, including “Hot in Cleveland,” “The Twilight Zone,” and “Columbo.” He lent his voice talent to animated series like “Fancy Nancy” and competed on the singing competition show “The Masked Singer” in 2023.
In addition to his acting work, Wendt turned to theater, taking over the role of Edna Turnblad in the Broadway production of “Hairspray” in 2008. He also appeared in productions of “Elf the Musical,” “Death of a Salesman,” and more.
Wendt is survived by his wife and three children. His legacy as a beloved character on “Cheers” will be remembered forever.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/tv/obituaries-people-news/george-wendt-dead-cheers-1236404992