Everyone knew George Wendt’s title, however the boisterous “Cheers” star hadn’t been seen in public for nearly one yr earlier than his passing.
The beloved tv icon died “peacefully in his sleep” on Tuesday morning, The Put up confirmed.
“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” the household rep’s advised The Put up in an announcement. “He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”
Wendt was most well-known for his iconic position as barfly Norm Peterson within the beloved NBC sitcom, “Cheers,” alongside Ted Danson, 77, Rhea Perlman, 77, John Ratzenberger, 78, Shelley Lengthy, 75, Kelsey Grammer, 70, Woody Harrelson, 63, the late Kirstie Alley, and extra.
The comic made his final public look on June 1, 2024, on the Massive Slick Superstar Weekend in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, doing what he cherished most.
Wendt appeared in a comedy sketch on the fundraiser along with his real-life nephew, “Ted Lasso” actor Jason Sudeikis, fellow comic Robert Smigel, and NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Sudeikis’ mother is certainly one of Wendt’s sisters.
Wendt and Smigel hilariously reprised their roles as Bob Swerski and Carl Wollarski within the bit “Super Fans,” marking the primary time they performed the characters since Chris Farley’s demise in 1997, reported KCTV5.
Sudeikis stepped in as Farley’s character, Todd O’Conner.
Through the skit, the comedic trio — wearing Chicago Bears gear — grilled the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ tight finish about his relationship with Taylor Swift and his soccer workforce.
Sudeikis’ line, “Travis, real talk, OK, just the guys here… When are you going to make an honest woman out of her?” even went viral.
Wendt additionally appeared on the seventy fifth annual Primetime Emmy Awards in January 2024 for an iconic reunion which means one thing sweeter after his demise.
The Chicago-born actor returned to his roots, showing on the award present stage with a number of of his former “Cheers” solid members, together with Danson, Grammer, Perlman, and Ratzenberger.
The celebrities gathered round a reproduction of the sitcom’s well-known Boston bar to current the Finest Directing for a Comedy Sequence and Finest Writing in a Comedy Sequence statuettes.
At a pre-Emmy get together, Wendt was seen with a cane and getting assist strolling from Sudeikis.
Throughout its 11-season run from 1982 to 1993, “Cheers” took residence a complete of 28 Emmys.
Wendt grew to become a fan favourite, with the actor scoring six Emmy nominations for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Sequence for his position as Norm.
He reprised the character within the short-lived “Cheers” spinoff, “The Tortellis,” and the extra profitable spinoff “Frasier.”
The star additionally landed his personal sitcom, “The George Wendt Show,” however the CBS program was scrapped after one month.
Through the years, Wendt would proceed to play Norm in non-related “Cheers” exhibits like “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” “Wings,” and extra.
He starred as himself on “Seinfeld” and “The Larry Sanders Show,” and had recurring roles on “The Naked Truth” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.”
Wendt is survived by his spouse, actress Bernadette Birkett; their kids Hilary, Joe and Daniel; and his stepchildren, Joshua and Andrew.
