Raise a Glass for Norm: Remembering George Wendt
I’m honestly kind of gutted. George Wendt, the man who brought Norm Peterson to life and made us all feel like regulars at Cheers, has passed away. He died peacefully in his sleep at home on Tuesday morning. He was 76.
Wendt was freakin’ funny. A natural comedian. Great comedic timing. Effortless. He made comedy feel like conversation, the kind you’d have with an old friend over a beer at the end of a long day. And that’s exactly what Norm was for so many of us: comfort. Familiarity. Punchlines wrapped in heart.
From 1982 to 1993, Wendt played Norm across all 275 episodes of Cheers. That bar was packed with beloved characters, but Norm? Norm was a fixture. A legend. Every time he walked in and the whole bar shouted “Norm!” it felt like a little celebration, one that came with a guaranteed laugh. He had that rhythm: cue from a co-star, snappy one-liner, and boom… gold.
He once said, “I have a hard time talking about Norm. It’s like he’s too close to me. I think he’s the toughest to write for because he’s not really anything. He’s just funny.” That’s the beauty of it. Wendt didn’t need some elaborate backstory or gimmick. Norm just existed — and he made it look easy.
Wendt was nominated six times for an Emmy for playing Norm, but never took one home. That didn’t matter, though. The character, and George, were already cemented in TV history. And Norm didn’t end with Cheers. He popped up in Frasier, The Simpsons, Wings, Family Guy, and more. He was like the comedy universe’s connective tissue.
But George Wendt was more than just Norm. He cut his teeth at Second City in Chicago in the '70s, earning his comedy chops on the stage before breaking out on television. He made appearances on MASH*, Taxi, Soap, Alice , he was grinding well before the Boston bar opened its doors.
And then there are his SNL superfans sketch! Wendt as Bob Swerski, sitting next to Farley and Myers, inhaling Polish sausages while praising “Da Bears.” He hosted SNL twice, and held his own among legends.
“From his early days with The Second City to his iconic role as Norm on Cheers, George Wendt’s work showcased how comedy can create indelible characters that feel like family,” said Journey Gunderson of the National Comedy Center. “His work is proudly featured in the National Comedy Center, and we honor his legacy and the joy he brought to generations of fans.”
Outside of comedy, Wendt had a solid Broadway run too with Art, Hairspray, Elf, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and he became a bit of a go-to Santa later in his career. There was something warm and twinkly about him, like you could trust him with a sleigh and a few reindeer.
He even popped up earlier this year in A History of the World in Six Glasses alongside Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi, and Jon Lovitz , a project that looked at the cultural impact of drinks like beer and wine. Fitting, considering how much joy he brought to people over the years by simply holding a frosty mug.
Wendt once joked to Letterman, “I was a very poor student. I got kicked out of Notre Dame. I’m very proud to mention my grade-point average that got me booted out: zero-point-zero-zero.” That same self-deprecating charm followed him through everything he did. He didn’t try to be anything but himself.
He leaves behind a legacy of laughter and he’s survived by family, including his nephew, actor Jason Sudeikis. But honestly, he’s survived by all of us too. Everyone who ever cracked a smile when Norm walked through the door.
So here’s to George Wendt. Here’s to Norm. Here’s to the guy who made us feel like we belonged, one one-liner at a time.
Norm!