“Cheers” star George Wendt, best known for his role as the lovable bar patron Norm Peterson on the hit NBC show, has died at the age of 76.

In a statement to Variety, Wendt’s publicist Melissa Nathan confirmed the actor’s death and said he died peacefully in his sleep at home.

“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” Wendt’s rep said in a statement. “He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”

BREAKING: George Wendt, the actor best known for playing Norm Peterson on the long-running sitcom "Cheers," has died. He was 76. https://t.co/MsTrctA8kA pic.twitter.com/XD9XoRL6QW

— ABC News (@ABC) May 20, 2025

An official cause of death has yet to be announced at the time of this publication.

Born in Chicago in 1948, Wendt got his start in entertainment with the famed improvisational comedy troupe from Second City in his hometown in the 1970s, the Hollywood Reporter noted.

Wendt earned a total of six Emmy nominations for his performances as the beer-loving patron on the hit NBC comedy series about a bar, with the tag line “Where everybody knows your name…”

Wendt appeared in a total of 275 episodes and was part of all 11 seasons of the popular show, which ran from 1982 to 1993, the New York Post reported.

Ever the comedian, Wendt once joked with the Washington Post that the hardest part of his role was drinking the “beer,” which was just a flat, non-alcoholic concoction, with salt to make it look like a cold brew.

“There I was slamming those down for a whole day. It not only tastes disgusting, I was afraid of keeling over from high blood pressure,” he told the outlet in 1985. “Then I got the knack. I didn’t have to put all those brews away. It only mattered when the camera was pointing my way. It took a couple of years, but now I watch the camera. That’s how I make my money. That’s acting.”

Appearing on “Saturday Night Live” years later, Wendt scored a role in “The Superfans” sketch about a fan of the Chicago Bears, Bob Swerski, in possibly one of the most famous “SNL” skits ever.

In the bit, Wendt’s character was joined by then-head coach of the Chicago Bears, Mike Ditka, at a restaurant in the city to watch “Da Bears.” It originally aired in Season 17, 1991.

WATCH:

In 2009, Wendt co-wrote “Drinking With George: A Barstool Professional’s Guide to Beer” with Jonathan Grotenstein. In the book, he told stories about how fans would yell “Norm” when they spotted him or would offer to buy him a round.

“I’m a simple man, I don’t ask for much. Give me a nice comfortable chair, a cool breeze, a ballgame on the radio and an ice-cold beer, and I couldn’t be happier,” he wrote in the book open.

“Truth be told, if it came down to it, I could live without the chair. A cool breeze is nice, but it isn’t exactly mandatory for a good time. And there are plenty of times when I don’t have access to a ballgame,” he added. “But a world without beer? I don’t know if that’s the kind of world I want to live in.”

Following news of Wendt’s death, social media users shared personal tributes to the actor/comedian.

“In honor of the legendary George Wendt, here is every time Norm Peterson walks into Cheers,” one person wrote, alongside a clip of all Wendt’s performances on the NBC sitcom.

In honor of the legendary George Wendt, here is every time Norm Peterson walks into Cheers pic.twitter.com/5qkPUNgFRU

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) May 20, 2025

Another person wrote, “Rest in peace to George Wendt, responsible for Norm Peterson, one of the most iconic sitcom characters of my lifetime. Cheers, big guy. Rest easy.”

A third person noted the coincidence of Wendt’s death on May 20, 2025, with the last episode of “Cheers,” and his part in the final scene of the series.

32 years ago today, 80.4 million people tuned in to watch the final episode of Cheers.

Till this day, it is the second most watched sitcom finale ever (MASH) and 7th most watched non-sports event of all time. pic.twitter.com/l3GSuZB1jI

— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) May 20, 2025

“32 years ago today, 80.4 million people tuned in to watch the final episode of Cheers,” the person wrote. “Till this day, it is the second most watched sitcom finale ever (MASH) and 7th most watched non-sports event of all time.”

Wendt is survived by his wife, Bernadette Birkett, and their three children.

Editor’s Note: Every single day, here at RedState, we will stand up and FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT against the radical left and deliver the conservative reporting our readers deserve.

Help us continue to tell the truth about the Trump administration and its major wins. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.