George Wendt, Who Made Norm Peterson a TV Legend, Dies at 76
Television has lost one of its most comforting and enduring presences. George Wendt, who brought lovable barfly Norm Peterson to life on Cheers for over a decade, has passed away at the age of 76.
Wendt’s publicist confirmed the news with a heartfelt statement: “George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever.”
Wendt’s roots ran deep in Chicago, where he cut his comedic teeth as part of the legendary Second City troupe in the 1970s. After years of sharpening his timing and presence, he transitioned into film and television, ultimately landing the role that would define his career.
Debuting in 1982, Cheers started slow in the ratings but blossomed into one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time. Through 11 seasons and 275 episodes, Wendt played Norm with a mixture of deadpan humor and gentle melancholy, earning six consecutive Emmy nominations along the way. Though he never won, his place in pop culture was sealed with each thunderous “Norm!” greeting he received on-screen.
“You make it sound real,” Wendt once said in 1983 of his acting approach. “If people stop believing you, you’re just telling jokes. That’s the way I do Norm.”
After Cheers ended in 1993, Wendt remained a fixture in entertainment. He guest-starred on shows like Columbo, Seinfeld, and The Simpsons, and even led his own series, The George Wendt Show. But perhaps his second most famous character came in the form of Bill Swerski’s Superfans on Saturday Night Live — a mustachioed Chicago sports fanatic known for the catchphrase “Da Bears.”
Despite his fame, Wendt never lost sight of what mattered most. “Norm is just me with better writing,” he told Chicago Magazine in 2021.
Though the lights at Cheers may be dimmed today, the legacy of George Wendt — and the laughter he brought to millions — remains eternal. Raise a glass, and give one final toast to Norm.
