Ted Danson has honored his Cheers co-star George Wendt, who passed away at the age of 76.
The actor famous for playing Norm Peterson in the '80s TV show passed away at his residence earlier today.
His family confirmed the news to TMZ, sharing that he died peacefully in his sleep – several months following his last known sighting at a scarce public event .
“George was a devoted family person, beloved by friends and trusted by everyone fortunate enough to know him,” stated his representative in an official release. the Hollywood Reporter .
'He will always be remembered. The family has asked for their privacy during this period.'
The reason for Wendt's passing has not yet been determined.
In a statement to People Danson mentioned he felt 'heartbroken upon hearing that Georgie is no longer with us'.
'I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It will take me quite some time to adjust to this. I love you, Georgie.'
John Ratzenberger, known for his role as Cliff Clavin in Cheers, expressed to the magazine that he was 'deeply saddened by the loss of my friend George Wendt'.
‘For eleven years on Cheers We shared a platform, many chuckles, and prime seating for one of television’s most cherished camaraderies. George breathed life into Norm with a nuanced finesse—making it seem effortlessly natural. That was his talent.”
He remarked, "He was an authentic artisan—modest, humorous, and brimming with warmth. His personality mirrored his on-screen character perfectly, showcasing remarkable comic timing along with profound devotion to those close to him. I will cherish missing our discussions and the simple instances of camaraderie that held the greatest value."
While Melissa Joan Hart, whom Wendt collaborated with on "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" in 2001 and 2002, posted a tribute on Instagram stating “heaven just became a lot more humorous.”
The actor, who was born in Chicago, delved into his love for performing during the 1970s, becoming part of the improvisational comedy group Second City.
In the early '80s, he had roles in shows like Hart to Hart, Soap, and M*A*S*H before landing his most memorable part as Norm in the long-running sitcom Cheers.
The show lasted for 11 years from 1982 to 1993, with Wendt starring as the cherished regular at the bar across all 275 episodes, sharing screen time with Kelsey Grammer, Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, Kirstie Alley, and Woody Harrelson.
Apart from Cheers, he took the lead in his self-titled television series, The George Wendt Show, back in 1995. Following this, he also appeared in shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, George Lopez, Fancy Nancy, The Goldbergs, and Hot in Cleveland.
On the large screen, he accumulated roles in "Spice World," "My Dinner with Jimi," "Wild About Harry," "King of the Ants," and "Clean Break."
Wendt stayed out of the limelight and was married to Bernadette Birkett. They had three children together: Hilary, Joe, and Daniel. Additionally, he was Uncle Nick to actor Jason Sudeikis, who stars in "Ted Lasso."
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