George Wendt, the jovial Norm Peterson of “Cheers,” left us Tuesday, a loss that stings like a flat beer. At 76, the Chicago-born comedian slipped away at home, his publicist Melissa Nathan confirmed. Hollywood’s lost a legend, and we’re poorer for it.
Variety reported that Wendt, born Oct. 17, 1948, in Chicago, carved a career that spanned decades, from sitcoms to Broadway. One of nine siblings, he graduated from Jesuit Rockhurst College with an economics degree before finding his calling in comedy.
His everyman charm made him a household name. In the 1970s, Wendt honed his craft at The Second City, Chicago’s comedy crucible.
That stage set him up for “Cheers,” where he played Norm for 273 episodes across 11 seasons. Six Emmy nods followed, proof that his talent wasn’t just barstool banter.
“Afternoon, everybody,” Norm’s iconic “Cheers” greeting echoed in living rooms nationwide. Wendt’s delivery turned a simple line into a cultural touchstone. Progressive types might call it “problematic” today, but fans knew it as pure heart.
Wendt married Bernadette Birkett in 1978, a union that brought three kids and her voice as Norm’s unseen wife. Their family, including nephew Jason Sudeikis of “SNL” fame, mourns a doting patriarch. Hollywood’s glitz never dulled Wendt’s grounded roots.
“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend,” Nathan said. That’s sweet, but let’s not airbrush reality—Wendt’s warmth shone brightest in his work, not press releases. His family’s plea for privacy deserves respect, not tabloid snooping.
Wendt’s Norm popped up in “The Tortellis” and “Frasier,” keeping the barstool warm. His own “The George Wendt Show” flopped in a month, proving not every swing’s a hit. Sometimes, even talent can’t outrun bad network bets.
In the 1990s, Wendt joined “SNL’s” Chicago Superfans sketches, riffing with Chris Farley and Mike Myers. He co-hosted a 1986 episode with Francis Ford Coppola, an odd pairing that somehow worked. Wendt’s versatility kept him relevant; no woke casting quotas needed.
Films like “Fletch,” “Gung Ho,” and “Spice World” showcased Wendt’s range. He didn’t chase Oscars, just roles that fit his blue-collar vibe. Critics might sneer, but audiences loved his unpretentious grit.
Wendt’s TV guest spots included “Hot in Cleveland,” “Columbo,” and “Fresh Off the Boat.” He voiced characters in “Fancy Nancy” and starred in TBS’s “Clipped.” The man worked hard, no handouts, just hustle.
In 2023, Wendt belted it out on “The Masked Singer,” proving he wasn’t done surprising us. That reality TV stint showed guts—most 70-somethings wouldn’t risk it. Wendt never shied from a challenge, unlike some coddled stars.
Broadway beckoned, with Wendt playing Edna Turnblad in “Hairspray” in 2008 and later at Charlottetown Festival. He donned Santa’s suit for “Elf the Musical” and tackled Willy Loman in a 2017 “Death of a Salesman.” Stage work isn’t easy, but Wendt made it look like a breeze.
“He will be missed forever,” Nathan’s statement continued. Sure, but Wendt’s legacy isn’t in tears—it’s in laughter, from “Cheers” to theater seats. Sentimental fluff won’t do him justice; his work speaks louder.