The legendary former Cheers star George Wendt died on Tuesday at the age of 76. Now, sad details about his passing are coming to light.
Wendt Passes Away
Wendt’s family has confirmed that the star died in his sleep at his family home on Tuesday. At the time of this writing, no official cause of death has been released.
“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” a representative for the family told CNN. “He will be missed forever.”
Wendt’s Final Years
Wendt was known to be extremely private about his health. He was last seen publicly in January, when he was spotted getting out of a car with his wife Bernadette Birkett, who he was married to for 47 years. At the time, Wendt was using a cane for assistance, and he was also leaning on the car.
Sadly, Wendt suffered various health struggles over the course of his final years. In 2012, he was hospitalized for chest pains. After getting surgery that same year, Wendt had issues with mobility that were attributed to weight gain. At the time, a source close to Wendt said that the former Cheers star had “difficulty walking for a while because of his weight.”
Wendt later had to undergo coronary bypass surgery after doctors found a constricted artery. This prevented him from performing in a local production in Chicago, Illinois.
Back in November, Daily Mail obtained photos of Wendt in a wheelchair being pushed into a dialysis clinic in Sherman Oaks, California. He spent three hours inside receiving treatment before being wheeled out hugging a pillow. Birkett picked him up and brought him to their car before they drove away. The exact health issue that led to Wendt being given dialysis has never been revealed.
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Wendt’s History
Born and raised in Chicago, Wendt got his start in the famed improv school The Second City Mainstage in 1975. His big break came in 1982, when he was cast as the barfly Norm Peterson on Cheers. The show ran for eleven seasons, ending in 1993. During that time, it garnered 28 Emmy Awards from 117 nominations, earning Outstanding Comedy Series nominations all 11 seasons, winning four.
For his work as Norm, Wendt was nominated for six Emmy Awards. Sadly, he never won.
Aside from Cheers, Wendt starred in 28 movies. These films include Dreamscape (1984), House (1985), Fletch (1985), Gung Ho (1986), Plains Clothes (1987), Never Say Die (1988), Guilty by Suspicion (1991), Forever Young (1992) and Spice World (1997). In 2019, he won Best Actor at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival for VFW.
However, fans will definitely always best remember Wendt as Norm. Check out some of his best moments on Cheers in the video below.
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Tributes For Wendt
Tributes have been pouring in for Wendt since his death.
“George Wendt passed today, absolute legend. Prayers up to him and his family, Norm was the best for a long long time. Made everyone laugh. #RIP,” one fan commented. Another added, “Everyone who remembers him is saying ‘NORM!’ in their minds. Iconic role in an iconic era. So sad!”
Wendt is survived by his beloved wife and their three children: two sons, including actor Daniel Wendt, and a daughter. He was also the uncle of the Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, who survives him. Please join us in saying a prayer for them during this difficult time!
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