George Wendt, best known for playing Norm on Cheers, dies aged 76 | US television

George Wendt, the actor finest recognized for enjoying Norm in long-running sitcom Cheers, has died at 76.

His loss of life was confirmed by his publicist in an announcement.

“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” his household stated in an announcement. “He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”

He died peacefully in his sleep at dwelling.

Wendt starred in Cheers from 1982 to 1993, showing in all 275 episodes of the hit sitcom. He earned six Emmy nominations for his work on the present.

“The Norm you see in Cheers has been years in the making,” Wendt once said of his character. “I have some characteristics in common with him besides our fondness for beer. But I think I’m a lot happier than Norm.” He additionally added: “I was a beer drinker long before Cheers. When I put a couple of six packs on top of my grocery shopping cart, people are pleased. I tell ‘em I’m taking them home to rehearse.”

He went on to play the character of Norm in quite a few different reveals together with Frasier, Wings, The Simpsons, Household Man and The Tortellis.

On Tuesday, his Cheers co-stars paid tribute, together with Ted Danson, who performed the barman Sam. “I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us,” he stated in an announcement. “I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie.”

Rhea Perlman, who performed waitress Carla Tortelli, remembered him as “the sweetest, kindest man I ever met.”

“It was impossible not to like him,” she added. “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! I’ll miss him more than words can say.”

John Ratzenberger, who performed fellow Cheers common Cliff Clavin, stated he was “heartbroken”.

“For 11 years on Cheers, we shared a stage, a lot of laughs and a front-row seat to one of television’s most beloved friendships. George brought Norm to life with a subtle brilliance — the kind that made it look easy. That was his gift,” he stated in an announcement.

Kelsey Grammer, who appeared in Cheers and Frasier with Wendt, told the Hollywood Reporter: “I believe mourning is a private matter. But I liked George a lot. He was beloved by millions.”

After Cheers, Wendt additionally led short-lived sitcom The George Wendt Present in 1995 which was cancelled after six episodes. His different tv credit included Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Colombo, Portlandia and The Goldbergs.

His movie credit included Responsible by Suspicion with Robert De Niro, Fletch with Chevy Chase, House Truckers with Dennis Hopper and Eternally Younger with Mel Gibson. He additionally performed Macaulay Culkin’s father in Michael Jackson’s Black or White video.

On stage, Wendt additionally starred in Hairspray on Broadway, enjoying Edna Turnblad. “It was one of my two favorite roles, apart from Norm,” he said. “Absolute utter joy and entirely different from anything in my world.”

Most not too long ago, he appeared in a season of The Masked Singer and 2022’s festive comedy Christmas with the Campbells. He additionally reunited with members of the Cheers forged on the 2024 Emmys.