Beloved actor George Wendt, best known for his role as Norm Peterson on the iconic sitcom Cheers, has passed away at the age of 76. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Wendt died from cardiac arrest, with underlying causes including congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and hypertension.
Wendt’s family representative confirmed that he died peacefully in his sleep while at home on May 20. The actor’s career spanned multiple decades, with notable roles on M*A*S*H, Taxi, Soap, and Alice, as well as Broadway productions such as Hairspray and Elf.
Despite never winning an Emmy Award for his work on Cheers, Wendt earned six consecutive nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He also appeared in the Fox Nation series A History of the World in Six Glasses, alongside Dan Aykroyd and other celebrities.
The cause of Wendt’s death has sparked debate about the right to know such information, with some arguing that it is none of the public’s business. However, his family has chosen to share their grief and celebrate his life, which was marked by a long and successful career in entertainment.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/06/george-wendt-cause-of-death-cheers-1236425077