The world of tv leisure misplaced a serious expertise at this time, as George Wendt, who performed Norm Peterson in all 11 seasons of Cheers (among the finest TV sitcoms of all time) died on the age of 76. Though Wendt confirmed off his performing abilities in a wide range of different tasks, together with Fletch and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, it’s protected to say that the general public nonetheless is aware of him greatest for his six-time Emmy-nominated position. So it’s solely applicable that Ted Danson and a number of other of his different co-stars paid tribute to the person after the information of his demise was made public.
Per Wendt’s household, the actor handed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday morning. Hours later, Variety obtained statements from Danson, John Ratzenberger and Rhea Perlman about their late co-star. Danson, who performed Sam Malone, proprietor of the Cheers bar and its foremost bartender, had this to say about Wendt:
I’m devastated to listen to that Georgie is not with us. I’m sending all my like to Bernadette and the youngsters. It’ll take me a very long time to get used to this. I like you, Georgie.
Along with his spouse and their three youngsters, George Wendt can be survived by his nephew Saturday Evening Stay alum and Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, the son of his sister Kathryn. Wendt made his skilled performing debut in 1978 with an uncredited position within the film A Marriage ceremony. Following a handful of different movie appearances and visitor spots on TV exhibits like Cleaning soap, Taxi and M*A*S*H, he was forged as a collection common in Cheers (which is full of humorous moments) alongside Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, Nicholas Colasanto and Shelley Lengthy. The beloved sitcom could be streamed with a Paramount+ subscription.
John Ratzenberger was additionally current in Cheers ranging from the primary season, though he initially recurred as Cliff Clavin, after which was upgraded to the primary forged in Season 2. Ratzenberger (who not too long ago shared how a fan as soon as confirmed as much as a Cheers taping with a samurai sword) honored George Wendt as follows:
I’m heartbroken to listen to concerning the passing of my pal George Wendt. For 11 years on ‘Cheers,’ we shared a stage, a whole lot of laughs and a front-row seat to certainly one of tv’s most beloved friendships. George introduced Norm to life with a delicate brilliance — the sort that made it look simple. That was his present.
Ratzenberger additionally described Wendt as a “true craftsman — humble, hilarious and filled with coronary heart,” and that he’ll miss their “conversations and the quiet moments of friendship that meant probably the most.” Lastly, Rhea Perlman, who performed wisecracking waitress Carla Tortelli on Cheers, honored Wendt with these phrases:
George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met. It was unimaginable to not like him. As Carla, I used to be usually standing subsequent to him, as Norm at all times took the identical seat on the finish of the bar, which made it simple to seize him and beat the crap out of him not less than as soon as per week. I liked doing it and he liked pretending it didn’t harm. What a man! I’ll miss him greater than phrases can say.
George Wendt, Ted Danson and Rhea Perlman had been the one actors to seem on each episode of Cheers. After the present led to 1993, Wendt reprised Norm for an episode of Frasier, in addition to voiced the character for amusing appearances in The Simpsons and Household Man. Wendt’s closing movie and TV appearances included 2022’s Christmas with the Campbells, a 2019 visitor spot in The Goldbergs, and performing as a contestant in The Masked Singer in 2023.
We right here at CinemaBlend provide our condolences to George Wendt’s household and buddies throughout this troublesome time. Amidst his different work, he’ll at all times be referred to as being one of many key causes for why Cheers was so profitable.