School, college and other closings for Monday

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

 are raising a beer stein for one of its beloved cast members, actor George Wendt. He played Norm Peterson, a beer-loving regular at the bar "where everybody knows your name." Wendt's publicist, Melissa Nathan shared a statement from his family who confirmed on Tuesday that the 76-year-old actor died peacefully in his sleep at home.

"George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him," his family wrote. "He will be missed forever."

Wendt was born on the South Side of Chicago, and got his start in the 1970s performing with the prestigious improv comedy troupe The Second City. After that, he began appearing in bit parts on iconic TV shows including 

, he appeared as a Chicago Bears "superfan" named Bob Swerski who gathered to cheer on "Da Bears." He also played the irritated dad of Macaulay Culkin's character in 

But the role he was most known for was as Norm, who was in every episode of the NBC show 

which ran from 1982 until 1993. As the lovable barfly, Wendt earned six consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for supporting actor in a comedy series.

He went on to reprise the role in the show's spinoffs 

(1995), a short-lived sitcom in which he played a car mechanic and radio host.

Among Wendt's survivors are his wife, actress Bernadette Birkett, his three kids and his nephew, actor Jason Sudeikis.

Arts and Culture

Homepage

Mandalit del Barco

Author

Wendt got his start in Chicago’s The Second City improv comedy troupe. He went on to earn six Primetime Emmy nominations for his role as a lovable barfly on 

Wendt got his start in Chicago’s The Second City improv comedy troupe. He went on to earn six Primetime Emmy nominations for his role as a lovable barfly on Cheers.


George Wendt, who played Norm on ‘Cheers,’ has died

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox