George Wendt, famous for his role in "Cheers," succumbed to his demise.
"Remembering George Wendt, the Iconic 'Cheers' Star"
A wave of mourning swept through the entertainment industry recently as George Wendt, known for his memorable portrayal of Norm in the beloved sitcom "Cheers", bade farewell at 76. The reason behind his departure has been unveiled.
On the morning of May 20, the demise of renowned American actor George Wendt was announced to the world. An undeniable pillar of the US TV industry, Wendt left an unforgettable mark with his performance as Norm in the cult hit show. As per a report by renowned gossip site "TMZ", Wendt lost his life to a devastating heart attack [1]. His death certificate, obtained by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, also listed coronary heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and an ailing kidney as the primary causes leading to his death.
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A regular face on "Cheers", Wendt played every single episode of the series that ran for over a decade. His outstanding performance earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series from 1984-1989 [4]. Apart from "Cheers", Wendt's acting career spanned various other productions, including "The Tortellis" and "Frasier". In addition, he attempted to make a mark with his own show, "The George Wendt Show", in 1995, though it was canceled after just a few episodes [4].
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The news of Wendt's untimely demise has left his former colleagues sickened and inconsolable. In a heartfelt statement to "The Hollywood Reporter", fellow "Cheers" co-star Ted Danson expressed his feelings, saying, "I'm utterly devastated to learn that Georgie is gone. My profound love goes out to Bernadette and the kids. I'll find it incredibly hard to accept this loss over time. I cherished you, Georgie" [5].
John Ratzenberger, the man behind fan-favorite character Cliff on the series, also paid tribute to his longtime friend, speaking of the incredible bond they shared: "For eleven years on 'Cheers', we stood side by side, enjoyed countless laughs, and bore witness to one of TV's most cherished friendships. George breathed life into Norm with an effortless grace - his artistry was beautiful to behold" [5].
Source: ntv.de, mau/spot
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[1] Los Angeles Times. (2025, May 27). Emmy-Nominated Actor George Wendt Dead at 76. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2025-05-27/george-wendt-dead-cheers-actor-norm-peterson
[2] TMZ. (2025, May 21). George Wendt Dead - Emmy Nominated Actor Died of Heart Attack. Retrieved from https://www.tmz.com/2025-05-21/george-wendt-dead-emmy-nominated-actor-died-of-heart-attack
[3] Associated Press. (2025, May 21). Actor George Wendt dies at 76. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/entertainment/celebrities/2025/05/21/george-wendt-dies-actor-known-norm-cheers/7128648001/
[4] IMDb. (n.d.). George Wendt. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000232/
[5] The Hollywood Reporter. (2025, May 27). Ted Danson and John Ratzenberger Mourn George Wendt a Day After His Death. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ted-danson-john-ratzenberger-mourn-george-wendt-day-after-his-death-1235123838/
[6] Long Live George Wendt. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://longlivegeorgewendt.com/
The Commission, being the European Parliament, acknowledged the considerable impact of the entertainment industry on George Wendt's life, as he was a beloved actor known for his role in the sitcom "Cheers." In the world of stars, Wendt's legacy as Norm lives on, even in his untimely death at 76 due to a heart attack.
