Late Cheers alum George Wendt is remembered for his comical performance as Norman Peterson and his death, naturally, broke fans’ hearts in May 2025. While a cause of death was not immediately disclosed, Wendt experienced a few health setbacks in his final years. He chose to keep his personal life private, though.
“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” a spokesperson for Wendt told The Hollywood Reporter. “He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”
Below, learn more about Wendt, his health and his death.
‘I love that stool. If there’s a heaven, I don’t wanna go there unless my stool is waiting for me.’
— Norm Peterson’s final ‘Cheers’ scene (May 20, 1993) pic.twitter.com/qUwGlVJtKx
— RetroNewsNow (@RetroNewsNow) May 20, 2025
Wendt is best known for playing the character Norman Peterson for all 11 seasons of Cheers. From 1982 to 1993, Wendt was in Cheers and went on to receive multiple nominations in the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category. The sitcom also earned 28 Emmy Awards and was nominated countless times during its run.
After the series wrapped, he went on to appear in the short-lived sitcom The George Wendt Show, followed by Airplane II: The Sequel, No Small Affair, The Little Rascals, Spice World and Santa Buddies.
Wendt was 76 years old when he died in May 2025.
