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

 

pursue a film and television career. (From left) George Wendt and Linda Lavin in 'Alice.' (From left) George Wendt and Linda Lavin in 'Alice.' Everett Collection In the early 1980s, Wendt began appearing in some of his first Hollywood roles, including in TV series “Taxi,” “Alice” and “Making the Grade before landing his big break as Norm in “Cheers” in 1982. The beloved NBC sitcom ran for 11 seasons and starred Wendt as the lovable, beer-gulping Norm alongside cast mates Rhea Perlman, Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, Shelley Long and Kelsey Grammer, among others.

Wendt earned six consecutive Emmy nominations between 1984 and 1989 in the supporting actor category for his performance as Norm on the series. “George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met. It was impossible not to like him,” Perlman told CNN in a statement Tuesday. “As Carla, I was often standing next to him, as Norm always took the same seat at the end of the bar, which made it easy to grab him and beat the crap out of him at least once a week. I loved doing it and he loved pretending it didn’t hurt. What a guy!” She added: “I’ll miss him more than words can say.” Wendt was one of three cast members to have appeared in every single episode of the show’s run. (The others were Danson and Perlman.) The series ended in 1993. In 2024 Wendt reflected on his time on the show. “It was a great job,” he said during an interview at the Motor City Comic Con. “Oh my God, what a great job.” His costar, John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff Clavin on the show, joked that they felt like they were “stealing money” because they had so much fun on the show. (From left) Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger and George Wendt in 'Cheers.' (From left) Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger and George Wendt in 'Cheers.' NBCUniversal/Getty Images “We sat at a bar for 11 years cracking jokes,” Ratzenberger said. “Imagine seeing that ad in the newspaper: ‘Looking for people to sit at a bar and crack jokes for a lot of money.’” Wednt added “Looking for a guy who wants another beer.”