George Wendt, Iconic 'Cheers' Star Known as Norm, Dies at 76
The End of an Era: George Wendt's Mark on TV and Beyond
TV lost one of its most familiar faces with George Wendt’s passing at 76. The man behind Norm Peterson—the barstool philosopher whose name was cheered across living rooms—died in his sleep at home in Los Angeles. News of his death landed heavy, coming exactly 32 years after the Cheers finale aired, reminding longtime fans just how deeply Norm had burrowed into American culture.
If you ever caught an episode of Cheers, you know the opening ritual. Norm steps into the bar, and the whole place erupts: “Norm!” Wendt kept that tradition going for all 11 seasons, bringing life to a character who, despite barely leaving his barstool, felt entirely real and instantly relatable. He picked up six straight Emmy nominations for it—pretty rare, considering the crowded field of comedy in the ’80s and early ’90s. Not only did he appear in every episode, but Norm became the show’s beating heart, with his mix of dry wit and good-natured resignation about his job, marriage, and endless beer tab.
Born George Robert Wendt Jr., he didn’t just rest on his sitcom laurels once the bar closed. Instead, he kept popping up across TV and film, showing a knack for playful self-mockery. He made a memorable mark on Saturday Night Live—not just as a guest host in 1985, but especially in the recurring ‘Chicago Superfans’ bits, bringing Chicago-style bravado to Bob Swerski alongside Chris Farley and crew. His own prime-time vehicle, The George Wendt Show, leaned into his everyman charm, though it burned out quickly. But in Hollywood he held his own next to heavyweights like De Niro in “Guilty by Suspicion” and Mel Gibson in “Forever Young.” And if you blinked, you might’ve missed his appearance in Michael Jackson’s splashy ‘Black or White’ music video, proving he wasn’t afraid to experiment off the barstool.
Wendt’s private life was quieter. He shared decades with his wife, actress Bernadette Birkett—who, fun fact, provided the voice for Norm’s never-seen wife Vera on “Cheers.” Together, they raised three kids out of the limelight. When his family spoke out after his death, they focused on George the father and friend just as much as George the actor. Their words made clear he was just as cherished at home as in Hollywood. According to those close to him, Wendt never turned down a story, a laugh, or a helping hand to friends old and new.
Holding onto Norm's Legacy
The echo of “Norm!” still rings out whenever someone new discovers “Cheers” on streaming or cable reruns. The magic Wendt created is part of why the series still pulls in viewers more than three decades after it first aired. His loyalty to the role and the ease he brought to it helped turn a show about a Boston bar into a pop culture anchor.
Wendt’s legacy, then, goes far beyond his Emmy nods and acting credits. His comfort with playing the regular guy made millions feel like they knew him, whether they shared a bar with him or not. And for people who ever needed a friendly spot and a familiar face, George Wendt’s Norm is still waiting at the end of the bar, lifting spirits with a quick joke and a knowing smile.