Cheers star George Wendt dead at 76 exactly 32 years after final episode aired
CHEERS star George Wendt has died at the age of 76.
Wendt was a key figure in the show from 1982 to 1993.
The star passed peacefully at his home on Tuesday morning, TMZ reported.
His cause of death was not immediately released.
The actor's family released in a statement, “George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him.
"He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”
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REMEMBERING A LEGEND
The death comes exactly 32 years after Cheers aired its final episode on May 20, 1993.
Fans know George for his role as Norm Peterson in all 275 episodes of Cheers.
He earned six consecutive nominations for outstanding supporting actor at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
George even earned his own spinoff when the beloved sitcom came to an end.
He starred on The George Wendt Show, which was canceled after just six episodes.
The short-lived CBS series followed bachelor brothers from Wisconsin who owned a garage and hosted a radio show.
George told Chicago magazine in 2021 that at his Cheers audition, he "needed to look like a guy who wanted to have another beer."
In his pilot, the only word he spoke was "beer."
George also had small roles in Taxi, Soap and M*A*S*H.
But George wasn't only known for his role on the small screen, as he also acted in a series of films.
Movies include Dreamscape, House, Fletch, The Little Rascals, Spice World, Airplane II: The Sequel, Alice in Wonderland, No Small Affair, Santa Buddies and more notable roles.
George started in sketch comedy improve before making it big in Hollywood.
He even scored a role as Bob Swerski on Saturday Night Live.
He was born in Chicago and married wife Bernadette Birkett in 1978.
They shared three children together.
He is also the uncle of actor Jason Sudeikis.
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